PUC, Widener Law Announce Program to Provide Legal Help for Low-Income Consumers

The Public Utility Commission and Widener University School of Law this week announced a pilot program to help low-income consumers receive legal help in navigating the formal complaint process before the PUC.

The Public Utility Commission Project, operating within the Pennsylvania Civil Law Clinic at the Widener Harrisburg campus, will provide free legal help to consumers living in Dauphin County and earning less than $2,756 a month for a family of four (150 percent of federal poverty guidelines). The 23 Widener Law students participating in the program took part in a day-long training program as well as mock hearings.

“Often complaints before the PUC deal with complex legal issues, but for the consumers these are emotional issues,” said Commission Chairman James H. Cawley. “Filing a PUC complaint can be an intimidating process for consumers who find themselves facing off against utility company attorneys. This program is a way for all consumers to have the opportunity for legal representation during the complaint process.”

"It teaches the students professional skills while performing an important public service," said Professor John L. Gedid, director of the Widener Law & Government Institute.

“The students enrolled in the Civil Law Clinic will continue to work under the supervision of our faculty to provide high quality legal services to individuals who might not otherwise be able to obtain representation,” said Associate Professor J. Palmer Lockard II, director of the clinic, which is supervising the students. “Although our students already gain significant experience in administrative law through our work in Unemployment Compensation, working with the PUC provides us an opportunity to expand our students’ knowledge of this important area of law.”

“Low-income individuals who are eligible to participate in the PUC/Widener pro bono clinic are in desperate financial situations.” said Harry Geller, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, which provides statewide assistance and advocacy in utility matters to low income utility consumers. “They face economic challenges every day; often having to choose between heating and eating. Loss of water, electric or heat is a critical life event. Legal representation will not only assist an individual to navigate the PUC complaint process but, may result in a settlement or decision which will enable a family to maintain an essential utility service.”

"MidPenn Legal Services is excited to play a part in this effort and we are hopeful it can benefit many people in need,” Rhodia Thomas, executive director of MidPenn Legal Services. “We will be screening applicants for financial eligibility and then connecting them with legal assistance. We have already made one referral under this project and look forward to helping with many more."

Consumers file formal complaints before the PUC when their dispute with a utility cannot be resolved. In 2008, the PUC received 2,131 formal complaints from consumers, compared to 1,931 complaints in 2007. Of those, a vast majority of consumers represented themselves.

Disputes typically include high bills, termination of service and ability to pay. Filing a formal complaint can include hearings before a PUC administrative law judge, formal arguments, cross examination as well as the filing of briefs and exceptions to the judge’s decisions. The utilities are represented by attorneys while consumers may be representing themselves.

Consumers living in Dauphin County are eligible for the pilot program, which may expand to other areas. MidPenn Legal Services is conducting the screening process to determine consumer eligibility.

To apply for assistance, consumers should contact MidPenn Legal Services, 213-A North Front Street, Harrisburg PA 17101-2240 or phone at 717-232-0581 or toll-free 800-932-0356.