Press Release

PUC’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Utility Service Becomes a National Model During Black History Month

Published on 2/22/2008

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

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Wendell Holland announced that the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) this week recognized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a Day of Utility Service, similar to an initiative by Pennsylvania's PUC.

“The designation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a Day of Utility Service by NARUC is especially significant as it furthers one of Dr. King’s greatest legacies, which was to improve the human condition," Chairman Holland said.  "Through public education, we can reach out to consumers in Pennsylvania and the nation to emphasize the significance of community service, while protecting the environment and saving energy.”

The PUC celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a Day of Utility Service in January of this year, by launching a short-term public awareness initiative and asking Pennsylvania utility customers to help people in their community save energy and “Prepare Now” for winter heating bills.  The statewide efforts included print ads, as well as radio ads recorded by Chairman Holland, and Commissioners Tyrone Christy and Kim Pizzingrilli.

Similar to Pennsylvania’s campaign this year, the national resolution encourages Americans to turn down the thermostat, weatherize their homes, change their incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, and install water saving devices.  The Board of Directors for NARUC resolves to use this national day of service to improve the lives of all American ratepayers and to encourage Americans to engage in a utility act of service on Dr. King’s holiday.

“The adoption of this resolution by our national organization reflects the core messages of conservation and energy efficiency.  We have sent these messages repeatedly from the consumer affairs committee of NARUC and our individual states,” said Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Ron Jones, Chairman of the NARUC Committee on Consumer Affairs. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more

information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov