Press Release

    HARRISBURG, Pa. – The number of households entering the winter months without electric service decreased 16 percent from last year, according to the results of an annual cold weather survey released today by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

    The survey shows the number of residential properties that are facing the winter without gas or electric service. Pennsylvania’s major electric and natural gas distribution companies are required to report this information each December. As of December 15, this year’s reports show the following information:

• 2,425 residential households remain without electric service. This number is a 16% decrease from last year’s figure of 2,896.
• 2,790 occupied, residential properties are without gas service, an increase of 13% over the 2,474 households without gas service at the end of 1998.
• 2,088 of the households without service are low-income customers.

    The attached charts show the number of residential properties without service for each of the major regulated electric and natural gas distribution companies in the state. (This information and the 1998 survey results are also available on the PUC's webpage.)

   "The lack of utility service during the winter months poses potential dangers to health and safety," said Mitch Miller, director of the PUC's Bureau of Consumer Services. "Customers without service run the risk of getting hypothermia or causing accidental fires with makeshift lighting and heating devices."

    Each year before winter, the PUC requires gas and electric utilities to check residential premises where the service has been shut off, and to try and reach payment agreements with the occupants so that the companies can restore service.

    Miller urges customers without service to contact their utilities for help. Anyone who knows of someone whose utility service is off should encourage that person to call the appropriate utility company right away. If customers are unsuccessful in making arrangements with the company to have service restored, they should contact the PUC for assistance toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.

    In addition, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may have funds available to help eligible customers have service restored. Low-income customers should contact their county assistance office for information about how to apply.

    For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet home page: http://puc.paonline.com.

Electric and Gas Charts