Press Release

PUC Joins Agencies, Utilities to Work with Community-Based Organizations to ‘Be Energy Wise’

Published on 9/23/2010

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG – While warm fall temperatures keep many from thinking about the increases utility costs that come with the winter heating season, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) on Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, will join other state agencies, utilities and social-service organizations to work with community-based organizations on how to “Be Energy Wise.”

About 200 health and human service agency professionals will gather for the event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, at the Holiday Inn/Pittsburgh Airport in Moon Township. As rate caps expire for the remaining 60 percent of the state’s electric customers, attendees will focus on shopping for electric service and using PAPowerSwitch.com. They also will learn more about programs available to help low-income utility consumers restore and maintain service such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Dollar Energy Fund as well as utility Consumer Assistance Programs, Low Income Usage Reduction Programs and hardship funds.

              This event also features a series of panel discussions from experts on electric rate caps and PAPowerSwitch.com as well as low-income issues such as conservation and funding options. Pre-registration was required and attendees will receive a resource guide with contact information about presenters.

The Be Energy Wise program has grown out of the Be Utility Wise events, which were created in the 1980s, with the mission to educate consumers, health and human service providers about utility-related issues, social service programs and provide educational resources to enhance the quality of life for consumers in PA.  The PUC partners with utilities, other state agencies and consumer organizations on these events.

Be Utility Wise’s annual conference is made possible by sponsorship and participation from the PUC, PAPowerSwitch.com, Allegheny Power, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Conservation Consultants Inc., Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, Holy Family Institute, Peoples Natural Gas, Duquesne Light Co., Equitable Gas Co., Dollar Energy Fund, OASIS, Pennsylvania American Water Co., Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, T.W. Phillips Gas and Oil Co., Pennsylvania Career Link/Fayette County.

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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Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722