Press Release

‘Be Utility Wise’ Event in Johnstown to Raise Awareness about Customer Assistance Programs

Published on 10/27/2016

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications

JOHNSTOWN – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will hold its third of five statewide annual PA “Be Utility Wise” events on Friday, Oct. 28, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, 450 Schoolhouse Rd., Johnstown. The outreach events will continue across Pennsylvania through October and November.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “Helping Hands to Self-Sufficiency” – focusing on increasing community awareness of essential utility assistance programs.

According to data compiled by the PUC, Pennsylvania utilities spent nearly $459 million on various customer assistance programs last year, not counting private assistance or the federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Every year, these programs helped reduce the monthly bills for more than 280,000 electric customers and over 160,000 natural gas customers across the state – and enrollment and annual spending for these programs has increased dramatically over the past decade.

Additionally, PUC-required assistance services also support programs to help low-income customers modernize their heating systems and reduce their energy consumption – making current and future utility bills more affordable. Utilities, and their customers, also contribute several million dollars per year in hardship funds, assisting thousands of in-need families.

In addition to networking opportunities, the free “train-the-trainer” event will feature presentations from state agencies, local utility companies and other financial assistance programs in order to share ideas and services.

This year’s participants include the PUC, FirstEnergy (Penelec), Peoples Natural Gas, Columbia Gas of PA, the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, Advantage Credit Counseling, the state’s Office of Attorney General, the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank, Catholic Charities, and the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.

The remaining PUC’s Be Utility Wise events include:

Berks County – Oct. 31, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Double Tree by Hilton

701 Penn Street

Reading, PA  19601

Harrisburg – Nov. 15, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Red Lion Inn

4751 Lindle Rd.

Harrisburg PA 17111

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov