Press Release

PUC Releases Annual Report Highlighting Universal Service Programs Collections Performance

Published on 7/30/2010

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today released the 10th 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 $15,700 a year.  According to the report, the gross write-offs ratio for the electric industry was 2.10 percent in 2009, compared to 1.85 percent in 2008, while the natural gas industry average was 3.92 percent in 2009 and 3.52 percent in 2008.

            Highlights from the 2009 report include that electric companies:

• Used $202,492,668 to enroll 270,537 customers in CAPs where on average those customers pay 79 percent of their total bill;
• Saw their customers receive more than $63 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) benefits;
• Spent $24,758,372 to provide 20,562 households with LIURP benefits.  The companies have budgeted $26,869,357 in 2010;
• Saw 11,655 customers receive over $3.8 million in hardship fund benefits.

            Highlights also include that natural gas companies:

• Used $197,875,832 to enroll 192,924 customers in CAPs where on average those customers pay 87 percent of their total bill;
• Saw their customers receive $107.5 million in LIHEAP benefits;
• Spent $12,542,508 to provide 4,418 households with LIURP benefits.  The companies have budgeted $12,493,568 in 2010; and
• Saw about 9,521 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, 2010, for the reporting year 2009.

            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.

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