Press Release

PUC Seeks Comments on Updates and Revisions to Regulations for PUC Procedures and Formal Proceedings

Published on 11/9/2023

Filed under: Electric Gas Motor Carrier Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Transportation and Safety Water and Wastewater

Proposed Amendments Would Modernize and Clarify Sections of the Public Utility Code Surrounding Practice Before the Commission

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today began a rulemaking process to update and clarify sections of PUC regulations related to practice before the Commission.

The Commission voted 3-2 to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) and seek public comment on a series of proposed revisions intended to modernize and clarify PUC’s rules and procedures.

Administrative Procedures Rulemaking

The rulemaking process initiated today by the Commission includes updates and clarifications to Chapters 1, 3 and 5 of the PUC Regulations (Title 52), related to practicing before the Commission, special provisions, and formal proceedings. 

These general provisions were last revised nearly 20 years ago, and the amendments are intended to clarify and enhance the process for PUC administrative hearings and other administrative proceedings.

These clarifications and amendments to PUC procedures come following the extensive consideration of input from PUC staff and stakeholders who regularly practice before the Commission. 

Additionally, a motion offered today by PUC Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow adds additional points to the proposed rulemaking, for consideration and comment, including several key consumer-oriented issues – such as allowing representation of individuals by appropriate non-attorney third parties; allowing small businesses to be represented by corporate officials, rather than requiring attorney representation; the guidelines for dismissing PUC cases “with prejudice”; and a review of the Commission’s stated preference for settlements.

Review and Comment on the Proposed Rulemaking

The NOPR will be submitted to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for review as to form and legality, and to the Governor’s Budget Office for review of fiscal impact – and then delivered for review and comment to the majority and minority chairs of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee, and to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, along with the Legislative Reference Bureau to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The NOPR will also be served upon the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the Coalition for Affordable Utility Services and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the Tenant Union Representative Network and Action Alliance of Senior Citizens of Greater Philadelphia, AARP Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Telephone Association, the Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania, the PUC’s Consumer Advisory Council, and all jurisdictional fixed utilities.

Interested parties may file written comments within 60 days from the date the NOPR is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Comments regarding this NOPR may be filed electronically through the Public Utility Commission’s eFiling system (in which case no paper copy needs to be filed with the Secretary of the Public Utility Commission provided that the filing is less than 250 pages).

If you do not eFile, then comments should be signed, dated and mailed, preferable by overnight delivery, to the PUC’s Secretary at:

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Commonwealth Keystone Building 2nd Floor
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120

NOTE: Comments must reference Docket Number L-2023-3041347. All pages of filed comments, with the exception of a cover letter, must be numbered.  Comments filed prior to publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin will be considered untimely filed and may be rejected.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

# # #

Docket No.: L-2023-3041347

Contact:

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