Press Release

PUC Chairman Brown to Kick-Off Annual Berks County ‘Be Wise’ Event; Highlight Essential Customer Assistance Programs

Published on 10/26/2017

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – Chairman Gladys M. Brown of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will kick off the 14^th annual Berks County “BeWise” Social Service Event (Berks BeWise) on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Double Tree by Hilton, 701 Penn St., Reading. 

Chairman Brown will open the daylong educational session with her insights on the role of assistance programs and the PUC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and increase customer availability to these programs intended to help low-income households maintain essential utility services.  As one in a series of statewide events sponsored by the PUC and key community partners, Berks BeWise is a “train-the-trainer” event providing utility education and networking opportunities to health and social service agencies that promote access, awareness and outreach to consumers in need.

In addition to the PUC, this year’s Berks BeWise participants include AARP; Abilities in Motion; The Berks Coalition to End Homelessness; Berks Community Action Program; Berks Counseling Center; Berks Teens Matter; County of Berks; Met-Ed/FirstEnergy; Operation HOPE; PPL Electric Utilities; Safe Berks; The Salvation Army; Santander Bank; Service Access Management, Inc.; and UGI Utilities, Inc.

According to data compiled by the PUC, Pennsylvania utilities spent nearly $398 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 help reduce the monthly bills or reduce energy consumption for more than 313,000 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, utilities and their customers also contribute several million dollars per year in hardship funds, assisting thousands of in-need families.

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:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov