Press Release

PUC’s “Smart Hearings” Initiative Recognized by Wolf Administration for Using Innovation to Promote Greater Participation in Public Input Hearings

Published on 8/2/2016

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) online “Smart Hearings” initiative today was formally recognized by the Governor’s Office of Transformation, Innovation, Management and Efficiency (GO-TIME) as a major public outreach milestone for using technology to promote greater consumer participation in public input hearings.

At an award ceremony in Harrisburg, Gov. Wolf and PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown recognized employees of the PUC’s offices of Administrative Law Judge and Communications who suggested and implemented the Smart Hearings as a pilot program and now on an ongoing basis.  In the Capitol Rotunda afterward, Gov. Tom Wolf highlighted successfully implemented initiatives across state government for making significant contributions to achieving government that works better by improving efficiency, reducing costs and improving services.

“I am proud of the PUC team, its vision and hard work in creating Smart Hearings for the benefit of utility customers in Pennsylvania,” said PUC Chairman Brown.  “Through innovation, our staff now brings public input hearings closer to consumers, enabling them to more easily participate and comment on proposed rate increase requests and other important matters that ultimately impact their utility bills and family budgets.”

The PUC launched online "Smart Hearings" in June 2015 to use existing live-streaming and telecommunications technology to make it easier for utility customers to participate and comment in public input hearings.  The new Smart Hearings enable residents throughout Pennsylvania to see and hear the testimony offered without the need to travel to attend the hearings in person. During Smart Hearings, concerned individuals are able to offer their comments by telephone, from the convenience of their homes or other locations, to be included in the live internet stream.

In its 2015 pilot project, the Commission found that the live-streamed online hearings nearly doubled participation among PPL Electric Utilities customers as compared to similar rate request public input hearings held in 2012.  Additionally, the PUC employed Smart Hearings related to the UGI Natural Gas Rate Increase Request in spring 2016, substantially increasing participation again.  This month, the PUC has scheduled Smart Hearings related to the 717 Area Code Relief Plan.

In addition to consumer convenience, Smart Hearings also achieve modest travel and productivity savings, as fewer PUC employees are needed to travel to four or more in-person public input hearings throughout a particular service territory. 

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov