Schweyer holds House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on utility shut-offs

Rep. Peter G. Schweyer    October 26, 2020 | 4:19 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 26 – State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, today hosted a House Democratic Policy Committee hearing on utility shut-offs.

Schweyer requested the hearing to discuss what the legislature can do to protect consumers faced with their utilities being shut off, especially during a pandemic. Schweyer was joined by state legislators from across the state and several utility industry leaders.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created new and unprecedented challenges for many families across the commonwealth,” Schweyer said. “With winter coming and temperatures starting to drop, people should not have to worry about having their heat, electric or water shut-off on top of keeping their families healthy and figuring out how to put food on their tables.”

Testifiers during the hearing included Tanya McCloskey, acting Pennsylvania consumer advocate; Elizabeth Marx, executive director, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project; Gladys Brown Dutrieulle, chairman, Pennsylvania Utility Commission; and Terry Fitzpatrick, president and CEO, Energy Association of Pennsylvania.

Hearing testimony and video will be available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=488K86I9kno.