Press Release

PUC Seeks Comment on Developing Regulations to Safeguard Confidential Security Information

Published on 4/13/2007

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

HARRISBURG– The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today asked for public comment on developing regulations that will safeguard confidential security information of public utilities.

“Every day we hear news about information being compromised both at private companies and the government,” said Commission Chairman Wendell F. Holland. “We must all work together to ensure the confidential security information of our utilities is not compromised, putting information and infrastructure at risk.”

The Commission voted 4-0 to begin the process to develop the rules and regulations necessary to implement the Public Utility Confidential Security Information Disclosure Protection Act (Act 156 of 2006). The Act creates mechanisms for the safeguarding of confidential security information of public utilities that is provided to various state agencies such as the Commission from disclosure that may compromise security against sabotage, criminal or terrorist acts.

The Act directs the Commission to develop:

• Filing requirements for public utilities to follow when submitting records containing confidential security information;
• Protocols to address challenges to the designations or requests to examine records containing confidential security information; and
• Procedures to protect public utility records that contain confidential security information from prohibited disclosure by Commission employees. 

An Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin. Interested parties may file comments with the Commission within 45 days of publication. Reply comments are due 30 days thereafter. More information on filing comments is available in the order at www.puc.state.pa.us.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket Nos. L-00070185, M-00012014

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• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722