With about 16,051 households entering the winter season without heat-related utility service, the Public Utility Commission is urging those consumers to know their rights and contact their utilities for help now. About 17,400 consumers were without service this time last year.

“While it is good news that more people this year are entering winter with electric and natural gas utility service, more than 19,700 of our neighbors are entering the winter months without heat-related utility service or using potentially unsafe heating methods,” said PUC Chairman Wendell F. Holland. “I urge all consumers who are without service to take action today to have service restored before the chill of winter takes hold. Consumers should know their rights. Programs are available to help qualifying low-income consumers pay their bills or restore service. Consumers should call their utility first. If they are unable to reach an agreement with the utility, call the PUC for assistance at 800-692-7380.”

Every December, the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services releases its cold weather survey results, which assess the number of households without heat-related service in the winter months. The PUC considers those without heat-related utility service as those homes where the utility service has been turned off.

As part of the survey, the PUC requires natural gas and electric utilities to check residential properties where service has been shut off. Contact is attempted through both telephone calls and in-person visits to the homes.

Homes using potentially unsafe heating sources also are counted because the home is not relying on a central heating system. Potentially unsafe sources of heat include kerosene heaters, kitchen stoves or ovens, electric space heaters, fireplaces and connecting extension cords to neighbors’ homes.

An additional 3,694 residences are using potentially unsafe heating sources, bringing the total homes not using a central heating system to 19,745, according to the 2006 survey. The total number was 21,462 in 2005.

The 2006 survey results also show that as of December 15:

· 2,825 residential households remain without electric service; 9,163 residences where service was terminated now appear to be vacant; and 114 households are heating with potentially unsafe heating sources. The total electric residences without safe heating are 2,939;

· 13,226 residential households that heat with natural gas are without service; 7,782 residences where service was terminated now appear to be vacant; and 3,580 households are heating with potentially unsafe heating sources. The total natural gas residences without safe heating are 16,806; and

· PGW reported that 9,298 households that heat with natural gas are without service - the highest number of all utilities. More than half of households (10,812 or 55% of the total off accounts) that have no service live in the Philadelphia area.

Under PUC regulation, every major utility also offers Customer Assistance Programs, under which qualifying low-income customers pay discounted bills. Qualification in the CAP program is based on household size and gross household income. Consumers are urged to call their utility to inquire about such programs. If a consumer continues to have questions, they should then call the PUC toll-free at 1-888-PUC-FACT.

In addition, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program may have funds available to help eligible customers have service restored. Low-income customers should contact their utility for information about how to apply.

Lack of utility service during the winter months poses potential dangers to health and safety. Customers without service risk hypothermia and fires caused by makeshift lighting and potential unsafe heating devices.

NewsClip: Numbers of Homes Without Heat Drops

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12/22/2006