Press Release

PUC Chairman DeFrank to Kick-Off 2023 Tri-Region ‘Be Utility Wise’ Conference

Published on 11/8/2023

Filed under: Consumer Education Electric Gas Water and Wastewater

PUC’s Annual ‘Train-the-Trainer’ Event Scheduled for Friday, November 17 at the Red Lion Inn, Harrisburg

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will host its 2023 Tri-Region “Be Utility Wise” professional development conference on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Red Lion Inn, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg.

PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank will kick-off the event at 9:30 a.m. with welcoming remarks 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.

The day-long program runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features a morning panel discussion on utility customer assistance programs as well as updates on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), and Pennsylvania 211 services.

Highlighting the afternoon sessions are presentations from the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP), Central PA Food Bank, Pennsylvania’s Office of Consumer Advocate, and the PUC’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight.

The theme for this year’s event is “Pathways to Resiliency,” and attendance to the conference is free.  Community providers interested in attending the conference should register via the following link:  2023 Tri-Region Be Utility Wise | PA PUC

The Tri-Region “Be Utility Wise” Conference is part of the PUC’s annual “train-the-trainer” events. These events bring 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