PUC Kicks Off Statewide Education Events On Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs

The Public Utility Commission will kick off its annual series of statewide “Be Utility Wise” education events in mid-September highlighting customer assistance programs intended to help low-income households maintain essential utility services.

The theme for this year’s campaign is “it takes a village of resources,” underscoring the roles that many different organizations play in providing services to families in-need.

PUC outreach events will be held--

-- September 13: Bel Aire Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 West 8th St., Erie, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

-- September 27: Park Inn Beaver Falls, 7195 Eastwood Rd., Beaver Falls, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

-- October 17: Mohegan Sun Conference Center,1280 Highway 315, Wilkes Barre, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

-- October 19: PECO Energy – Energy Hall, 2301 Market St., Philadelphia, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

-- October 30: Double Tree Hotel, 701 Penn St., Reading, 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

-- October 31: Holiday Inn Johnstown Downtown, 250 Market St., Johnstown, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

-- November 17: Red Lion Inn, 4751 Lindle Rd., Harrisburg, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is connecting struggling consumers to the resources and agencies who can help them,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown. “By working together with community organizations, who are on the front lines every day, we hope to increase awareness of various customer assistance programs and reach more residents who may be struggling to heat their homes or pay their utility bills.”

The PUC’s Be Utility Wise events are intended to help local human service agencies and assistance organizations better understand the utility programs and services available in their communities.

The free “train-the-trainer” events feature presentations from state agencies, local utility companies and other financial assistance programs to share ideas.

Presenters will discuss financial assistance programs for utility customers, career tools for job seekers, energy conservation and weatherization, protecting against utility scams and more.

According to data compiled by the PUC, Pennsylvania utilities spent nearly $398 million on various customer assistance programs last year, not counting private assistance or the federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

Every year, these programs help reduce the monthly bills or reduce energy consumption for more than 313,000 electric customers and over 160,000 natural gas customers across the state – and enrollment and annual spending for these programs has increased dramatically over the past decade.

Utilities and their customers also contribute several million dollars per year in hardship funds, assisting thousands of in-need families.

Click Here for a complete list of Be Utility Wise events by the PUC or other partners.