Press Release

PUC Seeks Comments on Updates to Regulations for PUC Procedures and Formal Proceedings

Published on 8/22/2024

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

Proposed Amendments Intended to Modernize Sections of the Pennsylvania Code and Streamline Practice Before the PUC

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today continued efforts to modernize and clarify sections of PUC regulations related to practice before the Commission, updating those procedures for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The Commission voted 3-2 to issue a Clarified Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NOPR) detailing various proposed updates intended to streamline and clarify the PUC’s rules and procedures and seek additional public comment on those proposed revisions.

Administrative Procedures Rulemaking

The Commission continues to explore updates to Chapters 1, 3 and 5 of the PUC Regulations (Title 52), related to practicing before the Commission, special provisions, and formal proceedings.

The updates are intended to address changes in the PUC’s jurisdictional responsibilities, explore technological innovations, modernize and streamline procedures, and enhance efficiency in PUC administrative hearings and proceedings.

These proposed changes come following extensive consideration from PUC staff and stakeholders and today’s action by the Commission seeks additional public comment and review.

Review and Comment on the Proposed Rulemaking

The Clarified NOPR issued today will now be submitted to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for review as to form and legality, and to the Governor’s Budget Office for review of fiscal impact – and then delivered for review and comment to the majority and minority chairs of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and the House Consumer Protection, Technology, and Utilities Committee, and to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission, along with the Legislative Reference Bureau to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The NOPR will also be served upon the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, the Coalition for Affordable Utility Services and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the Tenant Union Representative Network and Action Alliance of Senior Citizens of Greater Philadelphia, AARP Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Telephone Association, the Broadband Communications Association of Pennsylvania, the PUC’s Consumer Advisory Council, and all jurisdictional fixed utilities.

Interested parties may file written comments during a 90-day period that begins on the date the NOPR is published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin – with comments filed during an initial 60-day period following publication and reply comments filed within 30-days thereafter.

Comments regarding this NOPR may be filed electronically through the Public Utility Commission’s eFiling system (in which case no paper copy needs to be filed with the Secretary of the Public Utility Commission provided that the filing is less than 250 pages).

If you do not eFile, then comments should be signed, dated and mailed, preferable by overnight delivery, to the PUC’s Secretary at:

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Commonwealth Keystone Building 2nd Floor
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA 17120

NOTE: Comments must reference Docket Number L-2023-3041347. All pages of filed comments, except for a cover letter, must be numbered.  Comments filed prior to publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin will be considered untimely filed and may be rejected.

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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Docket No.: L-2023-3041347

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov
• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov