Join the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) on Thursday, June 11, 2026 from 1:00 PM-2:30 PM for Utility Consumer Rights – A Call to Action, an informative and interactive webinar about the PUC’s rulemaking and how to get involved in the comment process to make a tangible, positive impact on Pennsylvania’s utility customers.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has initiated a rulemaking to revise utility billing, collections, and termination standards. These standards include critical protections that Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable communities rely on to stay connected to essential utility services, including the winter moratorium, medical certificates, and protections for survivors of domestic violence.

Additional Background Information:

Title 52, Chapter 56 of the Pennsylvania Code implements the billing, collections, and termination standards for PUC-regulated residential utility services. Some key provisions include grounds for and appropriate notice of service termination, payment arrangement terms, the winter moratorium on utility shutoffs, medical certificates to prevent shutoff for medically vulnerable customers, protections for survivors of domestic violence, and universal service program referrals.

In December 2024, the statutory laws governing utility billing, collections, and terminations sunset. However, the Chapter 56 regulations established by the PUC remained fully enforceable, and the PUC issued an interim order indicating that it intended to continue enforcing the provisions of the former statute.

The PUC has initiated a rulemaking proceeding to amend these regulations. As proposed, the PUC is seeking to enshrine the same parameters for billing, collections, and terminations established in the former statute. However, we believe that this rulemaking provides a key opportunity to improve the standards to protect families and keep them connected to utility service.
 

In-person and virtual events from the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project are free, but donations are always greatly appreciated!

Pennsylvania Utility Law Project
118 Locust St. | Harrisburg, PA 17101