Press Release

PHILADELPHIA -- Pennsylvania Public Utility Commissioners today met with U.S. Sen. Bob Casey to inform him about the PUC's ongoing efforts to evaluate electric outages and storm response.

"We understand that, like the PUC, Sen. Casey heard from many residents who were frustrated by the outages associated with the severe weather in August, September and October," said Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson. "We wanted to educate Sen. Casey about the Commission s rigorous evaluation of this storm, just as it does with all outages of this nature. We shared with him information on our ongoing evaluation and our efforts to yield constructive results."

Chairman Powelson, Commission Vice Chairman John F. Coleman and Commissioner Wayne E. Gardner met with Casey to inform him about the steps the  PUC began began taking in September prior to Sen. Casey's November press release.  The PUC review centered on  the concerns associated with the long-term outages.

The PUC continues to evaluate the data that is being provided by its electric distribution companies (EDCs). The PUC s top finding to date is that customer communication during outages is an ongoing issue with the electric utilities.

"The PUC takes each storm incident seriously and makes changes to try and minimize future storm impacts," Chairman Powelson said. "We then hold the utilities accountable for improving their reliability and communications with customers."

The following is a rundown of the PUC s major actions related to the long-term outages:

• Directed EDCs to provide detailed information on outages on specific circuits over the past six months, including information on whether they were among their worst-performing 5 percent of circuits; on outage restoration for any outages over 24 hours; and on any corrective actions regarding the circuits that experienced outage of over 24 hours
• Requested and received information from all EDCs on historic weather information and customer call center/interactive voice response system improvement plans
• Finalized a policy statement on best practices that electric utilities should utilize to ensure effective communication during service outages, including the use of social media and new technology to keep customers informed
• Received and evaluated required reports from affected utilities regarding outages
• Requested and received additional information to assist in the evaluation of Hurricane Irene/Tropical Storm Lee/October snowstorm
• Met with all affected utilities for a post-storm assessment of response
• Finalized additional regulations on Sept. 22, 2011, designed to improve utility responses to outages
• Held Special Electric Reliability Forum on Oct. 12 with affected utilities where we discussed what worked and what did not work during the Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee outages
• Made plans to incorporate sections into the annual PUC Electric Reliability Report that discuss EDC major event response and our evaluation of such
• Met with the EDC emergency coordinators committee and EDC best practices sharing committee
• Participated in emergency planning drills and tabletop exercises
• Contacted the University of Florida for assistance on storm hardening and storm recovery, based on a letter sent to Governor

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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