Press Release

PUC Celebrates Record-Breaking Year of Service and Accomplishments in 2024

Published on 12/19/2024

Filed under: Electric Gas Motor Carrier Pipeline Rails Telecommunications Transportation and Safety Water and Wastewater

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today highlighted a historic year of achievements during its final public meeting of 2024. Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank reflected on the Commission’s remarkable work over the past year, emphasizing record-setting workloads, advancements in consumer protection, regulatory modernization, and public outreach.

“This year, the PUC demonstrated extraordinary dedication to its mission of ensuring safe and reliable utility service, protecting the public interest, and empowering consumers,” Chairman DeFrank said. “Despite unprecedented challenges, we delivered results that benefit communities across Pennsylvania.”

Record Workload, Outstanding Results

The PUC received more than 32,000 filings in 2024, including an unprecedented 31 individual rate cases and a record number of formal rate complaints. In response to this surge, the Commission’s staff maintained exceptional efficiency:

• Over 12,000 documents served by the Secretary’s Bureau.
• 675 evidentiary hearings and 75 public input hearings conducted by the Office of Administrative Law Judge (OALJ).
• Mediation of 282 cases and issuance of 376 written decisions by OALJ presiding officers.
• Completion and issuance of 210 Orders and Secretarial Letters by the Office of Special Assistants.

The Bureau of Consumer Services also delivered notable results, answering more than 112,000 calls and resolving over 74,000 customer inquiries – reducing open winter moratorium cases to the lowest level in a decade.

The Law Bureau regularly represented the Commission in an average of 45 open state and federal court appeals. Ninety-five percent proceedings concluded with decisions resulting in the courts’ affirmation of the Commission’s opinions or other positive outcomes in support of the Commission’s position.

The Bureau of Audits released 21 reports covering 52 years of adjustment clauses and 1 special audit covering 3 years. In addition, the team reviewed and approved approximately 341 adjustment clause filings.

Advancing Public Safety and Regulatory Oversight

The PUC’s Safety Divisions conducted more than 3,000 electric and pipeline safety inspections and responded to 153 electric safety investigations and 16 pipeline-related incidents. The Rail Safety Section completed 1,270 inspections and addressed 73 reported incidents involving trains and vehicles or pedestrians. The Motor Carrier Safety Section conducted 533 safety fitness reviews on carriers, more than 2,690 federal New Entrant Safety Audits and more than 3,500 roadside inspections of commercial motor vehicles.

Also, 931 underground facility owners, excavators and project owners were directed to attend Act 50 training (related to the Pennsylvania One Call Law), while the PUC’s Damage Prevention Committee approved 2,743 violations related to 699 cases that were addressed during this year’s 11 DPC meetings.

Cybersecurity and emergency preparedness remained a top priority, especially in the PUC’s Office of Cybersecurity Compliance and Oversight, Bureau of Management Information Systems (MIS) and Bureau of Technical Utility Services (TUS). The PUC completed a supplemental advanced notice of proposed rulemaking pertaining to the Commission’s cybersecurity regulations, as well as co-developed and facilitated an Operation Blue Flame Tabletop Exercise that served as the catalyst for Pennsylvania’s National Mass Care Exercise.

The PUC also took significant steps to modernize key procedural regulations, finalize hazardous liquid pipeline rules, and advance resource adequacy discussions.

Promoting Consumer Education and Market Stability

The Commission expanded its outreach efforts in 2024, hosting in-person “Be Utility Wise” conferences for more than 650 human service professionals and leading campaigns like Digital Connectivity and Lifeline Awareness Week.

In the energy market, the PUC continued to support robust retail choice, resulting in cost-saving opportunities for consumers. By year-end, nearly 1.6 million Pennsylvanians – representing over 64% of total electricity load – chose competitive electricity suppliers, according to the Commission’s Office of Competitive Market Oversight.

The Commission also started important conversations regarding wholesale electricity by hosting technical conferences on resource adequacy. These discussions continue, as the Commission is keenly interested in fostering electric reliability and affordability now and into the future.

Driving Strategic Innovation

In 2024, the Commission modernized regulations, advanced universal service program design, and finalized groundbreaking hazardous liquid pipeline regulations.

The PUC launched its “PAPUC Forward” five-year operational strategic plan, focused on professional development, process excellence, technology modernization, and enhanced consumer education. With its people at the heart of the plan, the PUC aims to further strengthen its commitment to public service in the years ahead.

As part of the Power Your Career with the PAPUC internship program, coordinated by the Office of Human Resources and Commissioner Zerfuss, the PUC employed 18 interns at different points throughout the year, a 157 percent increase from last year.

Supporting Pennsylvania Communities

The Commission continued to play a vital role in Pennsylvania’s economy, collecting and distributing $179 million in impact fees from natural gas producers. This year’s contributions bring the 13-year total to more than $2.7 billion, benefitting communities across the Commonwealth.

“As we close out 2024, we take great pride in what we have accomplished and remain committed to serving the public interest with integrity and innovation,” Chairman DeFrank concluded. “We thank our staff, stakeholders, and all Pennsylvanians for their continued support as we look forward to an even more successful year ahead. Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when teamwork and passion meet purpose.”

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly 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:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov