BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The state Public Utility Commission has taken a key step toward turning longstanding consumer protections into formal regulations.
It's a move officials say would provide greater clarity and stability for households and utility companies across the state.
The commission voted Thursday to advance proposed rulemaking that it said would codify existing consumer safeguards into Pennsylvania's official utility regulations.
If adopted, the rules would govern how utilities handle issues such as billing, payment arrangements and service termination, particularly for vulnerable customers.
What’s changing
The proposal does not immediately alter how utilities operate.
Instead, it launches a formal regulatory process aimed at embedding existing consumer protections directly into regulation, rather than relying on guidance that can be revised or withdrawn more easily.
Those protections and provisions, PUC officials said in a release, already have guided residential utility service standards for years.
"This proposed rulemaking reflects the Commission’s responsibility to provide stability during a period of real uncertainty for many households."PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank
Codifying them would create clearer, more consistent standards statewide for both customers and utility providers.
"This proposed rulemaking reflects the Commission’s responsibility to provide stability during a period of real uncertainty for many households,” PUC Chairman Stephen DeFrank said.
“By moving these longstanding consumer protections into regulation, we are creating a clear, predictable framework that helps keep essential utility service accessible and affordable, while also giving utilities the certainty they need to plan, operate and serve customers effectively.”
The commission has not released a detailed, plain-language breakdown of every provision, but the rulemaking generally covers protections related to customers who fall behind on bills or face service shutoffs.
Those typically include requirements for payment plans, limits on when utilities can terminate service, and safeguards for customers with medical needs or financial hardships.
Why it matters
Consumer advocates have long argued that placing protections into regulation makes them more enforceable, particularly during periods of economic stress, extreme weather or rising utility costs, when households are more likely to struggle with bills.
"Early outreach allows customers to discuss payment arrangements, budget billing and assistance programs before balances grow and become harder to manage."State Public Utilities Commission release
Formal rules also reduce uncertainty for utility companies by setting clear expectations for how customer accounts must be handled, rather than relying on policies that can vary over time or across cases.
PUC officials said the goal is to balance those interests by providing predictable standards while preserving essential protections for customers.
They also used the release to emphasize that consumers concerned about higher winter utility bills should not wait to seek help but instead call their utility now.
"Early outreach allows customers to discuss payment arrangements, budget billing and assistance programs before balances grow and become harder to manage," the release said.
What happens next
The proposed regulations will be published in the Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin, the official publication for rules and regulations issued by commonwealth agencies, triggering a public comment period.
During that time, utility customers, consumer advocates, utility companies and other stakeholders will be able to submit written feedback.
All written comments must be filed within 60 days and reply comments filed within 90 days once the proposed regulations are published.State Public Utilities Commission
All written comments must be filed within 60 days and reply comments filed within 90 days once the proposed regulations are published.
Those comments can be submitted electronically through the Commission's eFiling system or by mail to the PUC secretary.
All comments will be posted publicly on the commission’s website.
After reviewing public comments, the commission may revise the proposal before voting on whether to adopt final rules.
The process could take several months, depending on the scope of comments and any changes made.
For now, the vote signals the commission’s intent to formalize protections on which many Pennsylvanians already rely, and to invite public input before those rules become permanent.
UGI gas rate investigation underway
In a separate action Thursday, the commission also voted unanimously to suspend and investigate a proposed natural gas rate increase from UGI Utilities, the company that supplies natural gas to much of eastern and central Pennsylvania, including the Lehigh Valley.
UGI’s filing seeks to increase annual operating revenues about $99 million. If approved as proposed, the increase would raise the average residential customer’s bill almost 9%.
The suspension means the request now will undergo a full review process, including hearings before an administrative law judge and opportunities for public input, before a final decision is made later this year.
