Press Release

PUC Finalizes Chapter 56 Revisions for Utility Reporting, Medical Certificates, Friday Terminations and Security Deposits

Published on 2/28/2019

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued a Final Rulemaking Order amending Chapter 56 of the Public Utility Code (Chapter 56) relating to the standards and billing practices for residential utility service.

The Commission voted 5-0 to adopt the order following an extensive review of public comments on the proposed changes, which were initially sought in July 2016 and again in July 2017.  In making Chapter 56 consistent with the previously amended Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code (Responsible Utility Customer Protection as reauthorized by Act 155 of 2014), the rulemaking finalizes the following:

• Amends definitions for medical certificate, applicant, customer and public utility;
   
• Adds physician assistants to the list of health professionals who can authorize medical certificates;
   
• Requires utilities to report medical certificate usage annually, and to report accounts with arrearages in excess of $10,000;
   
• Provides for payment of security deposits in installments; and
   
• Prohibits utility service from being terminated on Friday for failure to pay a bill. 

Additionally, the PUC agrees to continue working with stakeholders to further explore proposed regulatory changes that more precisely define all elements needed on medical certificate forms; consider further the protections for customers with Protection from Abuse or other court orders which provide evidence of domestic violence; and examine the nature, type and form of future customer privacy guidelines concerning use of electronic termination notices.

The revisions adopted by the Commission today will now be submitted for review to the Office of Attorney General, the Governor’s Budget Office, designated committees of both houses of the General Assembly and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.  Following those reviews, the Final Rulemaking Order will become effective upon publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

Act 155 was signed into law on Oct. 22, 2014, by Governor Tom Corbett. It amends Chapters 5, 14, 22 and 28 of the Public Utility Code.  In addition to establishing a definition for medical certificate, Act 155 allows the PUC to: 1) establish annual fees to fund the Commission’s oversight of natural gas suppliers and electric generation suppliers; 2) include the intrastate operating revenues of licensed entities in determining its budget cap; and 3) exclude from its budget cap funds received from the federal government and other sources to perform functions unrelated to the Commission’s jurisdictional regulation.

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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Docket No.: L-2015-2508421

Contact:

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