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PUC to Host 9th Annual 'Be Utility Wise Fair' in Philadelphia

Published on 11/27/2001

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

HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will host the ninth annual "Be Utility Wise Fair" in Philadelphia, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Community College of Pennsylvania, Winnett Student Life Building, Second Floor, 1700 Spring Garden St.

The fair will feature consumer workshops and information tables throughout the day. Topics will include: Utility Choice; the benefits of the Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); and the many consumer programs offered by the PUC. More than 400 consumers, seniors, counselors and social service workers, and health-care providers are expected to attend.

"We have a lot to be thankful for and proud of this holiday season -- particularly the good news of lower prices for utility consumers this winter," PUC Chairman Glen R. Thomas said. "The Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition.

"We’re here to help you -- so that you can ‘Be Utility Wise’ every day."

Chairman Thomas noted the following good news for Pennsylvania utility consumers:

  • Preparedness is High -- Chairman Thomas said Pennsylvania’s preparedness in the wake of Sept. 11 is very high, citing the work of the Governor’s Task Force on Security, and the extra vigilance among utilities, and state and local officials to safeguard the utility infrastructure on which all Pennsylvanians depend;
  • Lower Heating Prices -- Prices for home heating are expected to be a third lower this winter. Pennsylvanians faced high energy prices last winter and continuing into the summer;
  • Consumer Services Hotline -- The PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services operates a hotline to report utility-related problems. Last year, 79 percent of callers said they received "good" or "excellent" service by the PUC hotline, and rated the information provided as "very easy to understand" or "fairly easy to understand." And 85 percent of consumers said they would contact the PUC again if necessary. The number to call for assistance is 1-800-692-7380 for termination-related complaints and 1-800-782-1110 for all other complaints;
  • Increased Utility Choice Consumer Education -- The Commonwealth will build on its leadership with Electric Choice by launching enhanced Utility Choice consumer-education programs in the coming months, helping to inform consumers about changes and opportunities related to natural gas and telephone competition;
  • "The Pennsylvania Team" -- Chairman Thomas pointed to a large team of people -- from the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Independent System Operator to statewide energy and telephone associations; and from large electric, natural gas and telephone companies to small rural water companies and independent taxi drivers -- who are working with the PUC to ensure Pennsylvanians have access to safe, reliable and reasonably priced utility service; and
  • Programs to Help Consumers -- The PUC oversees several programs to help low-income and special-needs Pennsylvania manage their utility bills, including the Customer Assistance Program, which can lower monthly utility bills or remove the amount already owed; the Low-Income Usage Reduction Program, which helps low-income residential customers lower the amount of electricity or natural gas used each month; and hardship funds, which provide cash assistance directly to companies on behalf of eligible customers. For these and other programs, as well as energy-assistance tips, log on to the PUC’s web site at http://puc.paonline.com.

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