Press Release

PUC Finalizes List of Qualified Documents for eFiling, Reminds Interested Parties of eFiling Demonstration Today

Published on 2/26/2009

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

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today finalized the list of documents qualified for electronic filing with the Commission and reminded interested parties of an eFiling demonstration today .

The Commission voted 5-0 to finalize “qualified documents” eligible for eFiling by consumers, utilities and practitioners. A complete list of qualified documents is available on the PUC’s Web site under eFiling, it includes:

• Applications;
• Formal complaints;
• Comments;
• Exceptions;
• Reply exceptions;
• Petitions;
• Protests;
• Rate filings;
• Security certificates and
• Supporting documents such as briefs, reply briefs and motions.

The PUC’s eFiling program became available to the public on Feb. 17, 2009, following a pilot program with about 20 participants. More than 100 documents were successfully eFiled during the 10-week pilot program.

The PUC will hold a demonstration of eFiling along with a question and answer session at 2 p.m. today in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building, Harrisburg.

Those interested in using the eFiling system can visit the PUC Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us and click on eFiling for instructions on how to set up an account, access the users guide and preview the system. Users who wish to make eFilings prior to the demo are asked to review all eFiling instructions carefully. 

With eFiling, PUC filing fees can be paid via the Web site using a credit card. However, PUC fines cannot be paid online at this time.

Those using the eFiling system are asked to submit one paper copy within three business days of the eFiling. The PUC Secretary’s Bureau is required to maintain one paper copy of all documents filed with the Commission under the Commonwealth Documents Law.  The eFiling Summary Page that contains the eFiling confirmation number should be included with the paper copy as the first page. 

 eFiling is part of the PUC’s implementation of a new case and document management system – InfoMAP (Information Management and Access Project). InfoMAP overhauled the PUC’s case management system, improving the Commission’s docketing, tracking and sharing of information.  It provides a single-entry point to submit and access information, initiate transactions and conduct business therefore permitting electronic filings and giving the public electronic access to information filed with and produced by the PUC.

Since the implementation of InfoMAP, access by external users to information maintained by the PUC has improved significantly over the past several months, with most filings being scanned and published to the Web site. This results in more documents being available electronically to the public through the Web site’s search engine.

 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 Nos. M-2008-2072592; L-00070187

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722