Employees, former Commissioners, retirees and friends of the Commission Wednesday gathered to mark 75 years of public service at the Public Utility Commission and to remind consumers the PUC is available to help with utility issues.

“In the last 75 years, the PUC has evolved to best meet the needs of consumers while at the same time federal and state legislation significantly altered the utility industry,” said Commission Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “Throughout the years and all of the changes, one thing has remained constant – the PUC’s responsibility and goal to protect and help consumers. As we celebrate 75 years of public service, we encourage consumers to get to know their PUC, the role we play in their daily lives, and the help that our talented and knowledgeable employees can provide. Consumers can learn more by going to our website at www.puc.pa.gov or calling 1-800-692-7380.”

The PUC was established when the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Act 43 to create an agency to better “supervise and regulate” all public utilities doing business in the Commonwealth.

The PUC’s original purpose in 1937 was to protect consumers from monopolies imposing high rates or providing inadequate service. At the same time, the PUC was charged with balancing those consumer needs with the needs of the utilities providing service. 

As time went on, this responsibility has become more and more complex. As new laws continue to give the PUC additional responsibilities, the PUC works to protect consumers by:

-- Investigating their complaints against utilities;

-- Maintaining or exceeding electric reliability benchmarks following restructuring;

-- Partnering with other state agencies and regulated utilities during emergencies and power outages;

-- Balancing consumer and company interests when utilities request rate increases;

-- Ensuring the safety of the state’s natural gas pipelines;

-- Conducting motor vehicle, and railroad facility and track inspections;

-- Making sure utilities terminate consumers fairly and legally;

-- Educating utility customers to make informed choices; and

-- Improving Pennsylvania’s utility infrastructure.

10/29/2012