Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) chairwoman, recently signed an emergency order prohibiting the termination of electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication, and steam utility service.
The order will remain in effect for the duration of Gov. Tom Wolf’s state of emergency related to the coronavirus, which was declared March 6.
“I believe that issuance of an emergency order is appropriate under the unique circumstances,” Dutrieuille said. “It is beyond argument that the provision of public utility service is necessary for the safety of the public. This is especially the case under the current challenges that resulted in the Proclamation of a pandemic emergency.”
PUC regulations dictate that an emergency order only can be issued when there exists a clear and present danger to life or property. The relief requested must be uncontested and action must be required prior to the next scheduled public meeting.
Under the Public Utility Code and the governor’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, a termination moratorium should be established for utility services. Terminations are permitted in the event of a safety emergency.
PUC said it balances the needs of consumers and utilities, protects the public interest, and ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates.