The Public Utility Commission will hold an en banc hearing on the use of combined heat and power (CHP) technology on October 7 at the University of Pittsburgh.

The hearing is a follow-up to the Commission’s en banc CHP hearing held May 5 at Drexel University in Philadelphia. There, panelists discussed CHP economics; social costs and benefits; and regulatory policies that impact the application of the technology.

The second hearing, to be held October 7 in the William Pitt Union Building at the University of Pittsburgh from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., will further explore current issues and discuss regulatory policies impacting greater adoption of CHP in the Commonwealth.

Three panels will feature discussions by CHP experts, project developers, technology vendors and representatives from Peoples Natural Gas and Duquesne Light Company. PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson will attend, as well as Vice Chairman John F. Coleman, Jr., and Commissioners Gladys M. Brown and Pamela A. Witmer.

CHP is an efficient approach to generating electric power and thermal energy from a single fuel source, providing cost-effective energy services to commercial businesses such as hotels, universities and hospitals.

In addition to improving manufacturing competitiveness and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, CHP benefits businesses by reducing energy costs and enhancing energy reliability for the user.

Currently, there is approximately 3,300 megawatts (MW) of installed CHP capacity in Pennsylvania. The technical potential for additional CHP systems in the Commonwealth, primarily in existing industrial and commercial facilities, is close to 11,000 MW.

For more information, visit the PUC’s Combined Heat and Power webpage.

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9/29/2014