Press Release

HARRISBURG – With more than 12,000 households entering the cold weather season without essential natural gas or electric service, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) is urging those consumers to contact their utility to help restore heat before a serious cold snap hits.

Every December, the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services (BCS) releases its cold weather survey results. The survey shows that as of Dec. 17:

• 2,047 residential households remain without electric service, compared with 1,488 in 2000;
• 10,077 residential properties are without natural gas service, compared with 4,347 in 2000; and
• At least 2,825 of the households without service are low-income customers, compared with 1,427 in 2000.

The attached charts show the number of residential properties without service for each of the major regulated electric and natural gas distribution companies in the state.

There are two reasons for the increase in natural gas households who are without service. First, the steep increases in natural gas supply cost last winter resulted in high arrearages and service terminations. Some customers have not yet recovered from last year's high bills. Secondly, the weather has been warm, and many customers have not called companies for reconnections.

BCS surveyed the companies with high numbers. They confirm that last winter's gas price levels and warm weather are factors in the high numbers of households who are still without service.

"The lack of utility service during the winter month poses potential health and safety hazards," said BCS Director Mitch Miller. "Customers without service run the risk of getting hypothermia or starting fires caused by makeshift lighting and heating devices."

Miller urges customers without service to contact their utilities for help. Anyone who knows of someone whose utility service is off should encourage that person to call the appropriate utility company right away. If customers are unsuccessful in making arrangements with the company to have service restored, they should contact the PUC for assistance through a toll-free telephone number, 1-800-692-7380.

In addition, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may have funds available to help eligible customers have service restored. Low-income customers should contact their county assistance office for information about how to apply.

Each year before winter, the PUC requires natural gas and electric utilities to check residential premises where service has been shut off to try to reach payment agreements with the occupants so that service can be restored.

The Pennsylvania 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.