As the weather forecast continues to tease at winter weather, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) urges consumers without electric and natural gas service to respond to outreach efforts by their utility that could lead to having service restored.

“With portions of the state seeing freezing temperatures and even snow already this year, we know the permanent arrival of winter lurks just around the corner,” said PUC Chairman James H. Cawley. “Electric and natural gas utilities are reaching out now to consumers who have been terminated this year in the hopes of restoring service. We encourage customers not to ignore these efforts. Customers also should ‘Prepare Now’ for winter, find out about programs available to restore and maintain service and learn about ways to control their energy costs through Gov. Rendell’s ‘Turn Down. Seal Off. Save Up.’ Campaign.”

In accordance with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code, the state’s electric and natural gas distribution companies under the PUC’s jurisdiction have begun to survey residential properties where service has been terminated in 2009 and has not been reconnected. The “cold weather survey” assesses the number of households without heat-related service entering the winter months.

As part of the survey, the utility or its representative will make four attempts to contact consumers. The attempts may include telephone calls, letters and personal visits to the residence and should be done on different days of the week and different times of the day. If the first three contacts are unsuccessful, the PUC requests that the fourth attempt be an in-person visit to the residence.

Those attempts to contact residents who have been terminated this year have begun. The PUC urges consumers not to ignore the utilities’ attempts to contact them but rather to view them as an opportunity to have service restored. Consumers without utility service should know their rights and obtain information about programs available to help them restore and maintain utility service. Consumers with a seriously ill resident in the household or a protection from abuse order may have additional options for service restoration.

Every December, the PUC releases the cold weather survey results, which assess the number of households without heat-related service entering the winter months.

In December 2008, the surveys showed that about 17,745 households entered the winter season without use of a central-heating system or were using potentially unsafe heating sources. A resurvey in February 2008 showed about 11,347 residences remained without use of a central-heating system or using potentially unsafe heating sources.

Homes using potentially unsafe heating sources also are counted because the home is not relying on a central heating system. According to the National Fire Protection Association, potentially unsafe sources of heat include kerosene heaters, kitchen stoves or ovens, electric space heaters, fireplaces and connecting extension cords to neighbors’ homes.

The cold weather survey provides the PUC with the best picture of how many customers are entering the winter months without heat-related utility service. However, according to utility reports to the PUC, electric utilities have terminated 145,942 customers from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2009 – a 1 percent decrease from last year. Natural gas utilities have terminated 92,543customers in the same time period – an 8 percent increase from last year. During the same time period, electric utilities have reconnected 99,090 customers – a 5 percent decrease while natural gas utilities have reconnected 51,369 customers – a 9 percent increase.

Consumers should call their utility first to make arrangements to pay their bill. If they are unable to reach an agreement with the utility, the PUC may be able to provide assistance. The PUC can be reached toll-free at 1-800-692-7380.

The Commission is in the seventh winter of “Prepare Now” campaign. The PUC’s message is simple: “Prepare Now” for higher energy costs this winter. Learn about changes in the law related to utility shut-offs and know your rights. Save money by learning how to conserve energy. Heat your home safely. Explore budget billing options. Look into programs that help low-income customers restore and maintain service. Visit www.puc.state.pa.us and click on "Prepare Now" or call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380. The PUC also is actively participating in Gov. Rendell’s third annual Stay Warm PA campaign – “Turn Down. Seal Off. Save Up.” Visit www.turnsealsave.org for more information.