3, 992 Pennsylvania Households Using Potentially Unsafe Heating (Space Heaters and Kitchen Ovens)

Since the passage of Act 201 in late 2004 (immediately following Joe Preston's re-election in November 2004), both the rate and number of utility terminations have increased, jeopardizing the health and safety of those households without utility service, particularly in the cold winter months; and thousands of consumers have been denied payment arrangements because of restrictions placed on the PUC. Act 201 of 2004, known as Chapter 14, went into effect on December 14, 2004, amending the Public Utility Code. Chapter 14 now prohibits the Commission from establishing a payment agreement for customers who have defaulted on CAP (Customer Assistance Program) payments. Through October 10, 2008, the PUC has turned away 24144 CAP customers who wanted to have their payment arrangements reviewed. For non-CAP customers, Chapter 14 prohibits the Commission from establishing a second payment agreement if the customer has defaulted on the first. Since the passage of Chapter 14, the Commission has turned away over 47000 non-CAP customers requesting a payment arrangement. In total, as a result of Chapter 14, the Commission has been unable to assist 71516 customers (non-CAP and CAP customers) who were seeking payment arrangements. That is, since 2004, termination numbers for the electric industry have reached record levels, increasing 60.1 % during the period from 2004 to 2007. Terminations for the gas industry increased 21% from 2004 to 2007. Overall, the termination rate has increased ...