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Press Release

Chairman Brown to Focus on Programs Available to Consumers During Berks ‘Be Wise’ Event

Published on 10/28/2016

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater

Reading – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will hold its fourth of five statewide annual PA “Be Wise” events on Monday, Oct. 31, 2016, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading.  The outreach events will continue across Pennsylvania through November.

“Despite the mild weather we have enjoyed for much of the fall, winter is on its way,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown.  “It may be a few days from now, or weeks or months in the future, but we will reach a point where families struggle to maintain their heat, power, water and other essential utility services. It is time to educate consumers that there are options available to them to help restore and maintain their services.”

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 Children’s Alliance Center of Berks County, BWIC, Berks County MH/DD Program, Threshold Rehabilitation Services, UGI Electric Utilities, PPL Electric Utilities, Met-Ed/FirstEnergy, Berks Community Action Program, Reading Area Community College, Olivet Boys and Girls Club, Reading Library and Reading Symphony, NHS Human Services, Self-Determination Housing Project, Berks County Assistance Office, Penn State Cooperative Extension, the state’s Attorney General’s Office, PA Department of Banking and Securities, and the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate.

The remaining PUC Be Utility Wise event will be held in Harrisburg on Nov. 15, 2016, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Red Lion Inn, 4751 Lindle Rd.

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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