Press Release

PUC Revises Rules of Practice and Procedure to Reflect Changes in Jurisdiction, Responsibilities

Published on 12/15/2005

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today revised its rules of practice and procedure to reflect significant changes in the PUC’s jurisdiction and responsibilities.

“The world has changed significantly in recent years, and the utility industry certainly has, too,” PUC Chairman Wendell F. Holland said.  “State and federal laws and Commission regulations have changed the landscape for our utilities and consumers when it comes to utility competition, consumer protections, alternative energy and telecommunications technology.  Yet our rules of practice and procedure have not changed since 1996.  Today, we act to further ensure we have a 21^st century PUC ready to protect the public interest and balance the needs of all parties.”

The Commission’s final rules of practice and procedure strike a balance between utilities, consumers and the public without imposing unnecessary delays, burdens or costs.  The rules also strike a balance between proceedings where the parties are represented by attorneys and proceedings where the parties represent themselves.  Among the major substantive changes are:

• Creating regulatory definitions for electronic mail, formal and informal complaints, formal and informal investigations, mediation, mediator, Secretary of the Commission, and telefacsimile transmittal.
• Allowing the parties to use electronic communications among themselves so they can avail themselves of a less expensive way to share filings. 
• Delaying the development of rules for electronic filings with the Commission in recognition of the PUC’s pending Information Management & Access Project (InfoMAP). 
• Rejecting a request to impose a $25 filing fee on any party that comes to the Commission with a concern.  The Commission denied the request because this unnecessary cost could discourage the public from alerting the PUC to potential service problems, and frustrate the role the public plays in helping the Commission to meet its statutory mandate to ensure adequate, efficient, safe and reasonably priced utility service to Pennsylvanians. 
• Providing for a direct right of appeal to the Commission of a resolution of an informal complaint. 
• Requiring a water or wastewater applicant for Commission authority to certify whether their proposed service meets Department of Environmental Protection, county, and local planning or zoning requirements. 
• Committing the Commission to a process in which the Commission consults with the public, utilities and other governmental entities to develop forms used during various water and wastewater application processes.
• Continuing to recognize a person’s right to file a complaint against a proposed rate filing. 
• Creating protest periods that reflect the complexity of Commission matters, including a 60-day default period, so that the public can intervene in Commission proceedings. 
• Recognizing the distinct right of the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate and the Office of Trial Staff as statutory advocates, to intervene in Commission proceedings on behalf of consumers and the public. 
• Clarifying the rules of procedures that govern complex or controversial matters brought before the Commission. 
• Ensuring that consumers or the public, who are not required to be represented by counsel, are not burdened with unnecessary requirements or costs in bringing a matter to the Commission’s attention. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition.

For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage at www.puc.state.pa.us.

                                                                          ###                

Docket No. L-00020156

Contact:

• Tom Charles
  Director of Communications
  717-787-9504
  thcharles@pa.gov