Press Release

ADVISORY – READING – TUESDAY – PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank to Address 20th ‘Berks Be Wise’ Conference at The Abraham Lincoln

Published on 10/23/2023

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank will address attendees of the 20^th “Berks Be Wise” human services conference on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, at The Abraham Lincoln Hotel, 100 North 5^th Street, Reading, PA  19601.

Chairman DeFrank will kick off the day-long event with opening remarks at 8:40 a.m. highlighting the PUC’s current comprehensive review of Universal Service program design in Pennsylvania as well as ongoing efforts to strengthen key consumer safeguards contained in the Responsible Utility Consumer Protection Act, Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code.

With its theme “Pathways to Resiliency,” the 2023 “Berks Be Wise” conference runs from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., and features regulatory and policy updates on utility Customer Assistance Programs, including this year’s Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as panel discussions related to Housing Services, Mental Health Services, and Accessing Resources for Immigrants.

“Berks Be Wise” is part of the PUC’s annual “train-the-trainer” events bringing together front-line community partners, utilities and key stakeholders to focus on ways to help low-income households maintain essential utility services – and to share tools and resources about customer assistance programs, energy efficiency and conservation; review information and guidelines about various support programs; and exchange ideas on ways to improve service to at-risk households.

About the PUC

Pennsylvania’s 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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Contact:

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