Press Release

Public Comments Sought on PUC Consumer Advisory Council

Published on 10/25/2018

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

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today adopted an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) seeking public comment on the PUC’s regulations that address the Consumer Advisory Council (CAC) in an effort to better enable the CAC to more effectively carry out its mission to advise the PUC on matters related to the protection of consumer interests. 

The Commissioners voted 4-1 to publish the ANOPR and initiate a public comment period.

A copy of the ANOPR also will be provided to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and the chairs of the House Consumer Affairs Committee and the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, who make appointments to the CAC, as well as the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, low-income advocates, current members of the Consumer Advisory Council, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Telephone Association, for potential comment from those individuals and organizations.

Created in 1977 and codified in regulations, the CAC is a 12-member advisory committee intended to act as a source of information for the Commissioners by advising the PUC on matters relating to the protection of consumer interests.

The PUC seeks comment on ways to improve the CAC’s operational efficiency and clarify its duties, including addressing the diversity of Council membership; the CAC’s communications within and outside the PUC; Council members’ appointments and terms; CAC quorums and official action; ministerial changes to the Council including the frequency of meetings and Council’s composition; and whether the CAC may be better governed through Commission Order rather than regulations.

Interested parties may submit written comments on the Commission’s proposal up to 45 days from the date the ANOPR is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Written comments should be submitted to:

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Attn: Secretary Rosemary Chiavetta
400 North St.
Harrisburg, PA  17120 

Comments also may be filed using the PUC’s eFile System. The eFiling instructions are available at:  https://www.puc.pa.gov/efiling/default.aspx.

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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Docket No. L-2018-3004948

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov