PUC seeks comment on terminations and consumer protections

Commission will discuss ongoing moratorium on disconnects at Aug. 27 meeting

HARRISBURG » The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission plans to address the ongoing moratorium on utility terminations at its Aug. 27 public meeting.

Before that discussion happens, however, Public Utility Commission Chairwoman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille wants to gather public comment about the commission’s current moratorium on utility terminations. She is asking for input regarding protections for atrisk consumers, should the commission’s moratorium on all utility terminations be lifted.

A March 13 Emergency Order issued by Dutrieuille established the prohibition on the termination of public utility service due to the spread of the coronavirus. The commission’s March proclamation also directed utilities to reconnect service to customers that had previously been terminated, “to the extent it could be done safely.”

The prohibition on disconnects was stated to last for the duration of Gov. Wolf’s Disaster Emergency Proclamation, or “until a time otherwise established by the commission.”

On Monday, Dutrieuille issued a letter requesting comment on the issue. In the letter, she said Pennsylvania is in “a different place” than it was in early March.

“It is time to reconsider the March 13th Emergency Order,” she stated in the letter. “Maintaining a total moratorium for a time period that is too lengthy may only work to accelerate the accrual of arrearages for many utility customers and place them at increased risk of default and termination in the future, when large bills inevitably

“While it would be easy to simply keep the absolute moratorium in place, protecting 100% of the customers for the duration, I do not believe that is sustainable.” — Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, chairwoman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission

become due.”

In seeking comment from concerned individuals and organizations, Dutrieuille noted the importance of safeguarding consumers and ensuring safe and reliable utility service as Pennsylvania continues to focus on slowing the spread of COVID-19 and economic recovery.

“While it would be easy to simply keep the absolute moratorium in place, protecting 100% of the customers for the duration, I do not believe that is sustainable,” she wrote in the letter. “Eventually, lack of payment to utilities could reach a critical mass where the provision of safe and reliable public utility service could be impacted.”

Parties interested in commenting on the issue of the moratorium on service disconnections must both eFile their comments using an eFiling account through the commission’s website AND email them directly to the Secretary of the Commission at rchiavetta@pa.gov — referencing PUC docket number M-2020-3019244.

All comments must be received by the end of business (4:30 p.m.) on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020. Comments received after the deadline will not be considered.