Press Release

PUC Releases Annual Report Highlighting Universal Service Programs Collections Performance

Published on 7/10/2009

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today released the ninth annual summary of the universal service programs and collections performance of each of the state’s major electric distribution companies (EDCs) and natural gas distribution companies (NGDCs).

Universal service programs are those designed to help ensure that all customers have access to utility service no matter what their income.  Programs include the Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP), Customer Assistance Program (CAP), Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES) and Hardship Funds.

Generally, electric and natural gas customers’ households enrolled in universal service programs have average household incomes that are less than $16,700 a year.  According to the report, the gross write-offs ratio for the electric industry was 1.85 percent in 2008, compared to 2.04 percent in 2007, while the natural gas industry average was 3.52 percent in 2008 and 4.10 percent in 2007.

Highlights from the 2008 report include that electric companies:

• Used $189,171,318 to enroll 240,002 customers in CAPs where on average those customers pay 79 percent of their total bill;

• Saw their customers receive more than $27 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits;
• Spent $21,634,127 to provide 20,106 households with LIURP benefits.  The companies have budgeted $23,243,019 in 2009;
• Saw 9,181 customers receive over $3.7 million in hardship fund benefits.

Highlights also include that natural gas companies:

• Used $174,497,927 to enroll 179,958 customers in CAPs where on average those customers pay 87 percent of their total bill;
• Saw their customers receive $53.2 million in LIHEAP benefits;
• Spent $8,918,930 to provide 3,966 households with LIURP benefits.  The companies have budgeted $13,051,467 in 2009; and
• Saw about 9,254 customers receive nearly $3.8 million in hardship fund benefits.

         The EDCs and NGDCs began reporting the required data to the Commission on April 1, 2009, for the reporting year 2008.

 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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722