Press Release

PUC Begins Annual ‘Be Utility Wise’ Consumer-Education Events; Friday’s Erie Conference is First of Eight Statewide Events

Published on 9/10/2019

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

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) begins its annual “Be Utility Wise” consumer-education events in Erie on Friday, September 13, for the first of eight statewide events promoting consumer awareness, utility education, life management skills and financial literacy.

Each fall the PUC sponsors Be Utility Wise (BUW), bringing together front-line community service agencies, utilities and other key stakeholders to focus on ways to help low-income households maintain essential utility services – sharing tools and resources about customer assistance programs, energy efficiency and conservation; reviewing information and guidelines about various support programs; and exchange ideas on ways to improve service to at-risk households.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Shining the Light: Leading the Way to Community Resources.”

“For decades, Be Utility Wise has proven to be an excellent forum for helping to build stronger communities and better serving the needs of struggling consumers,” said PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille.  “Last year, more than 1,100 professionals attended these multi-faceted human services events, underscoring the personal commitment many community-based agencies have in forging stronger families, healthier communities and safer neighborhoods.”

Presented as a community service of the PUC, the Be Utility Wise events are intended to help local human service agencies and assistance organizations better understand the utility programs and services available in their communities. These free “train-the-trainer” events feature presentations from state agencies, local utility companies and other financial assistance programs to share ideas. Presenters will discuss financial assistance programs for utility customers, energy conservation and weatherization, protecting against utility scams, career tools for job seekers and more.

Community human service groups and other organizations working with low-income and at-risk consumers who have not yet registered for a local BUW program can call (717) 787-5722 or email RA-PC-CMU_ConsumerEd@pa.gov  for  more information and to sign up for these free educational events.

This year’s Be Utility Wise calendar includes the following events:

Erie BUW
Friday, September 13, 2019 (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Ambassador Conference Center, 7792 Peach Street
Erie, PA 16509

Lehigh Valley BUW
Wednesday, September 18, 2019 (8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Northampton Community College, Alumni Hall Room 130A-D
3835 Green Pond Road 
Bethlehem, PA 18020

Pittsburgh BUW
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe, 1000 Corporate Drive
Canonsburg, PA 15317

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton BUW
Thursday, October 24, 2019 (8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
Mohegan Sun – Conference Center, 1280 Highway 315
Wilkes Barre, PA 18702

Johnstown BUW
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 (8:30 am – 3:30 p.m.)
Holiday Inn Johnstown Downtown, 250 Market Street
Johnstown, PA 15901

Berks Be Wise
Friday, November 1, 2019 (7:45 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.)
DoubleTree by Hilton, 701 Penn Street
Reading, PA  19601

Tri-Region - Harrisburg BUW
Friday, November 15, 2019 (9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.)
Red Lion Inn, 4751 Lindle Road
Harrisburg, PA 17111

There also will be a Be Utility Wise event in Philadelphia with details available shortly.

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:

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