Press Release
PUC Finalizes $45,000 Settlement with PPL over Termination Investigation
Published on 4/4/2013
Filed under: Electric
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC or Commission) today finalized a $45,000 settlement with PPL Electric Utilities Corp. (PPL) regarding an informal investigation into a residential termination.
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement reached between the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) and PPL. The settlement follows an investigation into a 2011 incident concerning a home in Lititz, Lancaster County, that had been terminated for non-payment.
The PUC’s I&E alleged that PPL violated PUC regulations and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code during contacts with the customer prior to and after termination of service. The account was terminated for non-payment. According to the investigation, the customer contacted PPL, who failed to place the account into dispute, which should have affected some of the steps toward termination.
Under the settlement, PPL will pay a $30,000 civil penalty and $15,000 to its Operation HELP Hardship fund, which helps low-income customers maintain service. The company also will retrain some of its customer service personnel and provide copies of its monthly call monitoring reports and provide for direct monitoring of calls by PUC staff.
PPL provides electricity to about 1.4 million customers in 29 counties in central and eastern Pennsylvania.
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. For recent news releases, video and audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov.
###
Docket No. M-2012-2264635
Contact:
-
Press Secretary
717-787-5722
Complaints
Learn how to submit a complaint with a public utility. You can also search existing formal complaints.
Get DetailsSubscribe to Press Releases
Keep track of PUC news and activities with press releases delivered straight to your email inbox.
SubscribeNeed More Help?
If you can't find what you're looking for here, please contact the PA Public Utility Commission. Call us at 1-800-692-7380 or contact us online.
Document Search
Public utility documents available electronically include case dockets, public meeting orders and more.
Filing & Resources
Find utility-related reports, laws and regulations, federal filings, tariffs, procedures and more.
eFILING
Consumers, utilities and attorneys can save time by submitting documents to the PUC electronically.