PUC, Agencies, Utilities, Community-Based Organizations Say Be Energy Wise

While warm fall temperatures keep many from thinking about the increases utility costs that come with the winter heating season, the Public Utility Commission joined other state agencies, utilities and social-service organizations to work with community-based organizations on how to "Be Energy Wise."
           About 200 health and human service agency professionals gathered at the Holiday Inn/Pittsburgh Airport in Moon Township for a special Be Energy Wise event. 
            As rate caps expire for the remaining 60 percent of the state's electric customers, attendees focused on shopping for electric service and using PAPowerSwitch.com
            They also will learn more about programs available to help low-income utility consumers restore and maintain service such as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Dollar Energy Fund as well as utility Consumer Assistance Programs, Low Income Usage Reduction Programs and hardship funds.
            This event also featured a series of panel discussions from experts on electric rate caps and PAPowerSwitch.com as well as low-income issues such as conservation and funding options. Pre-registration was required and attendees will receive a resource guide with contact information about presenters.
            The Be Energy Wise program has grown out of the Be Utility Wise events, which were created in the 1980s, with the mission to educate consumers, health and human service providers about utility-related issues, social service programs and provide educational resources to enhance the quality of life for consumers in PA. The PUC partners with utilities, other state agencies and consumer organizations on these events.
            Be Utility Wise's annual conference is made possible by sponsorship and participation from the PUC, PAPowerSwitch.com, Allegheny Power, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Conservation Consultants Inc., Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western Pennsylvania, Holy Family Institute, Peoples Natural Gas, Duquesne Light Co., Equitable Gas Co., Dollar Energy Fund, OASIS, Pennsylvania American Water Co., Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Public Welfare, T.W. Phillips Gas and Oil Co., Pennsylvania Career Link/Fayette County.


9/27/2010

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