The Public Utility Commission published notice in the May 18 PA Bulletin inviting interested stakeholders to participate in the Universal Service Reporting Work Group that was formed based on a Commission staff report-- Home Energy Affordability For Low-Income Customers In Pennsylvania.

The report found low-income households, even with the help of utility customer assistance programs, still had a higher energy cost burden-- 8 to 10 percent of income for heating customers-- than those not participating-- 4 percent-- regardless of heating, non-heating or energy type.

The federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is separate from utility customer assistance programs, had a measurable impact on reducing the energy cost burden of CAP customers by approximately 5 to 6 percentage points for gas heating, 6 to 8 percentage points for electric non-heating, and approximately 7 to 9 percentage points for electric heating.

The report said these findings, however, do not meet the desired outcome called for in PUC guidance for customer assistance programs.

The PUC is looking get the Working Group up and running by no later than July 31 and complete its work by December 31.

Utilities and interested stakeholders should email: ra-pc-uswg@pa.gov by May 31, 2019 to inform the Commission of your intent to participate. All utility participants and interested stakeholders will be provided with information and comment requests, and notified of specific meeting dates, times, and locations, via email.

Questions should be directed to Eric Tuttle by sending email to: etuttle@pa.gov.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information.

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Related Story:

PUC Report Finds Low-Income Households Participating In Assistance Programs Have Double The Energy Cost Burden Than Those Without Assistance

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[Posted: May 17, 2019]

5/20/2019