Press Release

PUC Will Compile and Publish Online Report of Annual Diversity Data Submitted by Major Utilities in PA

Published on 4/4/2024

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater

First Annual Report on Utilities’ Diversity Initiatives due by May 31st

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today initiated a process to generate an annual report on the diversity initiatives of major utilities under PUC jurisdiction.

The Commission voted 4-1 to adopt a Joint Motion of Vice Chair Kimberly M. Barrow and Commissioner Kathryn L. Zerfuss directing PUC staff to compile and publish on the Commission’s website an annual report regarding utilities’ diversity initiatives. While they will not identify individual companies, the PUC’s annual reports will contain statistics and seek to identify any trends contained in the collective information and data provided by utilities.

“We believe that the transparency that comes with this reporting requirement is beneficial,” stated Vice Chair Barrow and Commissioner Zerfuss in their motion.  “Properly structured, diversity programs can successfully leverage untapped talent pools in this time of increased utility workforce retirements, further supporting workforce development plans.

“Our jurisdictional public utilities, as regulated monopolies, have a unique connection to the communities they serve and should draw on the strengths provided by the diverse citizens of this state.”

The Commission’s initial report is to be published on the PUC’s website by May 31, 2024.  Reports in subsequent years are also to be compiled and published by May 31^st of each year.

Regulations on Diversity Reporting

On April 14, 2022, the Commission adopted regulations requiring regular reporting on diversity programs and efforts by major jurisdictional utilities providing electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services. 

The regulations build on the PUC’s earlier policy statement which encouraged diversity reporting, which was initially adopted in 1995 and updated in 2020 to expand diversity reporting guidelines to include minorities, women, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ, and veterans.

The PUC rulemaking standardized the definitions and format for utility diversity reporting to collect the following information:

• Corporate policies for improving diversity in the workplace and procurement process.
• Training on diversity initiatives in employment and in the contract of goods and services.
• Demographic data regarding diverse employment in various job classifications.
• A description of diversity recruiting, promotion, and retention efforts.
• Involvement with organizations promoting diversity.
• A summary of diverse-owned businesses the company contracts with for goods and services, including the percentage of dollars spent with diverse-owned businesses versus non-diverse businesses.

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 www.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.

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Docket No.: L-2020-3017284

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov