Press Release

PUC Finalizes Rulemaking to Permit Electronic Filing

Published on 5/22/2008

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

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved the final rulemaking to change its procedural regulations to allow for the electronic filing of documents and to permit parties to receive electronic service of documents if they wish.    

The Commission voted 4-0 to finalize regulations that will allow for electronic filing.  The Commission views the regulations as a transitional step toward replacing paper with electronic filings by allowing filers to submit certain types of documents electronically without also filing paper copies.

In a statement Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli said the revised regulations broaden the service rules to accommodate electronic service of documents by the Commission and between parties.

Prior to developing the regulations, Commission staff from several bureaus held a series of meetings with external stakeholders.  The Commission also examined electronic filing regulations in place at other state utility commissions, federal agencies and state and federal courts.  The proposed regulations were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Nov. 17, 2007, and the Commission has reviewed comments filed by interested parties.

Electronic filing, which is a component of the Commission’s Information Management and Access Project (InfoMAP), will be phased in later this year through pilots.   Electronic payments of filing fees will also be permitted after InfoMAP is fully implemented.  InfoMAP has already enhanced electronic access by consumers, utilities and practitioners to information filed with the Commission, as documents are scanned by the Secretary’s Bureau and posted on the Commission’s Web site. 

This final rulemaking will permit consumers, utilities and practitioners to file certain documents electronically without filing paper copies, serve documents electronically on other parties if they agree to such service, and receive electronic service of documents from the Commission.  Other key provisions of the final rulemaking address the: 

Need for parties to register to use the electronic filing system;

• Designation of filing user ID and password as the individual’s signature;
• Requirement that filings be made in PDF format;
• Generation of a confirmation informing the filing user that a filing was received, along with the date it was filed and a link to the filing;
• Limitation of electronic filings to 5 megabytes;
• Ability to make electronic payment of filing fees; and
• Manner in which confidential and proprietary information will be handled.

As a result of these final regulations and the technology upgrades being implemented by the Commission through InfoMAP, parties doing business with the Commission will enjoy enhanced access to information and greater efficiencies in the filing and service of documents.  As the Commission, its employees and interested parties gain experience with the electronic filing system, the regulations will be revised as the need arises to optimize use of the capabilities of the technology for the benefit of all users. 

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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Docket No. L-00070187

Contact:

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