Pennsylvania PUC hosts educational events for customer assistant programs

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently hosted an educational event in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with social service organizations from across the Laurel Highlands, as part of a series of events across the state on customer assistance programs.

The PUC’s “Be Utility Wise” events highlight customer assistance programs designed to help low-income families maintain essential utility services. The events seek to increase understanding among local human service agencies and assistance organizations of the utility programs and services available in their communities.

The feature presentations from state agencies, local utility companies, and other financial assistance programs. The presenters will share ideas on financial assistance programs for utility customers, career tools for job seekers, energy conservation, and weatherization, protecting against utility scams and more.

Pennsylvania utilities spent approximately $398 million on customer assistance programs last year, not including private assistance or the federal Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP), according to data compiled by the PUC. Every year, more than 313,000 electric customers and over 160,000 natural gas customers utilize these programs to reduce their monthly bills or energy consumption.

The Commission’s is also conducting an ongoing in-depth study of “energy burdens” for Pennsylvania households. The study explores the amount of income spent on heat and lighting and how that influences a family’s ability to maintain essential utility service.