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Process Initiated To Codify Utility Residential Customer Payment Protections
In a motion issued by Chairman DeFrank of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) proposes that “the law Bureau, in conjunction with the Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Services and other relevant Commission staff, be directed to submit a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking incorporating into the Commission’s regulations the provisions of Chapter 14, as was in effect prior to its sunset including those currently being followed by the Commission via our Statement of Policy.”
The Chairman’s motion further recommends that the Law Bureau submit for the Commission’s consideration a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking by January 15, 2025.
In Vice Chair Barrow’s statement states that “I agree that the time is right to determine the next steps on utility and consumer protections. I believe that the status quo is only a starting point for this proceeding and not the ultimate goal. I am happy to support this Motion and would like comments on the following topics:
- Payment arrangement lengths
- Extending payment arrangements to small businesses
- Term length for restarting the clock for defaulted and fulfilled payment arrangements;
- Removing the PGW specific provisions
As background in anticipation to Chapter 14 dealing with the utility’s residential consumer protection rules that sunset on December 31, 2024, the Commission issued on December 14, 2024 issued a statement of policy to provide certainty to the utilities, consumers and all affected stakeholders regarding, payment arrangements and utility terminations.
M-2024-3052328
(Sunset Of Chapter 14 Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code- Utility Residential Consumer Protection Rules.)
