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IRRC met this morning to consider one regulation offered by the PUC pursuant to Act 129 of 2008. While there was general agreement that the regulation is widely supported, commissioners voted 4-0 to disapprove the reg, characterizing it as not in the public interest for reasons relating to timeliness. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Posted by Kim | Tags: default service, electricity, public interest, PUC | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, IRRC | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Consumer Affairs Committee held an informational hearing this morning on Chapter 14 of the Public Utility Code which is also Act 201 of 2004, the “Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act.” The provisions of Chapter 14 expire at the end of 2014 if it is not reauthorized by the General Assembly. Representatives from the utilities testified to the positive impact of the Act while consumer representatives called for significant changes in the Act if it is reauthorized. The PUC offered recommendations on changes in the Act. Check the Capitol Toolbox later today for the full story. Posted by Jeff | Tags: customer assistance programs, public utilities, PUC, ratepayers, utility terminations | Category: House Consumer Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee this morning approved an agenda of bills, among them HB 10 which would remove a provision in existing law restricting sole control of providing transportation services in Allegheny County to the Port Authority. The bill would allow the PUC to regulate additional service providers, and was reported out despite opposition from Democratic members of the committee. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Allegheny County, port authority, public transportation, PUC | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Consumer Affairs Committee today held an informational meeting on the natural gas industry, specifically relating to the eight-percent rate of retail shopping for natural gas suppliers. The committee heard from representatives of the industry, the PUC and the Consumer Advocate, many of whom cited the need for a mechanism to promote the replacement of aging infrastructure and to encourage the development of new infrastructure. Several members particularly discussed the need to expand access to natural gas service to more areas of Pennsylvania. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: consumer advocate, natural gas, PUC, retail | Category: House Consumer Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Consumer Affairs Committee this morning approved legislation, with amendments, that would authorize utilities to implement ratemaking procedures to accelerate the recovery of capital investments related to infrastructure repair/replacement. Proponents of the legislation indicated it will accelerate collection of capital costs and thus accelerate infrastructure improvements. Several members questioned the amount of costs that would be recovered, but ultimately an amendment to limit collections to net costs was not approved. Three members voted against reporting the amended bill from committee. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: DSIC, Infrastructure, PUC, utilities | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Consumer Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Consumer Affairs Committee met with the chairman of the Public Utility Commission this morning to learn more about the role of the PUC and discuss possible legislative action. The members learned about the five areas of PUC oversight – electricity, natural gas, telephone, water and wastewater, and transportation – and discussed possible legislative remedies for improvement in each area. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later today. Posted by Kim | Tags: electricity, natural gas, PUC, telecommunications, Transportation, water | Category: House Consumer Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Consumer Affairs Committee held a public hearing on HB 2434, which would return regulation of limos in the city if Philadelphia to the PUC. The committee heard from the Philadelphia Parking Authority, which discussed its role overseeing limos in the city, and from the Philadelphia Regional Limousine Association, which argued oversight by PPA is duplicative of PUC oversight in the rest of the state and more expensive. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: PUC | Category: House Consumer Affairs, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee this morning approved the nominations of Jim Cawley and John Coleman to the PUC. Cawley has been nominated for his second consecutive term; this would be Coleman’s first term. The nomination of Coleman sailed through with a few questions about Coleman’s background and ability to get up to speed on PUC issues. Several senators raised concern with Cawley’s tenure on the board, particularly a recent TV ad in which he appeared with the president of PPL. Ultimately Cawley’s nomination was also moved forward with four Democratic senators voting against the nomination. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: nominations, PUC | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Republican Policy Committee this morning heard from the PUC and natural gas industry about natural gas pipelines and whether additional oversight is needed. Both sides agreed that the PUC should have the authority to conduct safety inspections of natural gas pipelines. Look for the complete story in the Capitol Toolbox later this afternoon. Posted by Kim | Tags: marcellus shale, natural gas, pipelines, PUC | Category: House Republican Policy, Public/Informational Committee Hearing | Comments are closed | Share:
The House Consumer Affairs Committee voted this morning to amend and report out HB 1747, legislation by Rep. Nick Kotik (D-Allegheny) that would give the PUC regulatory control over all common carrier services in Allegheny County that are not operated by the Port Authority already. In addition the committee also approved a bill that deals with the theft of natural gas propane services and other service provider property, and a resolution related to the state’s dwindling area codes. Check the Capitol Toolbox later for the full story. Posted by Mike | Tags: Allegheny County, natural gas, PUC, taxis, theft | Category: Committee Voting Meeting, House Consumer Affairs | Comments are closed | Share:
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