Press Release

PUC Sets Public Input Hearings in Statewide Evaluation of Storm Response

Published on 9/30/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two hearings to receive public comment to aid in its statewide evaluation of storm responses by its jurisdictional electric distribution companies (EDCs).

Administrative Law Judge Mark A. Hoyer will conduct the hearings at:

7 p.m. Oct. 9, 2008

Cranberry Township Fire Company

Park Station

20727 Route 19

Cranberry Township, PA  16066

(Parking in the rear of the bldg)

2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Four Points by Sheraton, Pittsburgh North

Cranberry Room

910 Sheraton Drive

Mars, PA  16046

On Sept. 14, 2008, residual storms from Hurricane Ike mixed with a cold front to produce winds up to 80 mph in Western Pennsylvania that caused damage to the area’s electric distribution system and left more than 300,000 customers without power. For some, power was not restored until Sept. 22. The PUC initiated a study at its next meeting on Sept. 25, 2008, of the state’s EDCs storm response tactics, including their power restoration practices and customer communications.

The public input hearings are a part of the statewide evaluation and are designed to provide an opportunity for utilities, government agencies and emergency service providers to share information. Consumers also will be able to provide their comments including information on how they would best be contacted during future outages.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue a report, which will include recommendations for future action, as well as changes in policies and regulations governing electric service reliability.

The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents residential customers in rate cases, offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• Sign in to testify when you arrive.  The judge will call witnesses to speak from the order they have signed in.
• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.

Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

• Your testimony will not become part of the record in the proceeding unless you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is truthful.
• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

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 No. M-2008-2065532

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722