The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is taking actions to make energy more affordable for low-income residents.
The first measure approved by the PUC at their recent meeting will update Customer Assistance Program guidelines to lower the percentage of household income spent on heat and light which would allow more people to be eligible for assistance.
The PUC also approved a motion that will begin the process to develop new regulations and revise others for these assistance programs to ensure essential protections are in place.
These revisions are a result of a two-year review of available assistance programs that found even with discounted payments or debt forgiveness, program participants still have significantly higher energy burdens compared to customers who did not receive assistance.