Virtual Forum: Advocating to the Public Utility Commission

Thank you to everyone who tuned in and submitted questions for our Virtual Forum on advocacy with Patrick Cicero, PA’s Consumer Advocate. It’s Patrick and his agency’s job to represent the interests of the commonwealth’s consumers and local businesses before the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC), including when the PUC is considering rate increase requests by local utilities.

Right now, two pending rate increase requests would affect our district: those filed by Aqua (water & wastewater services) and PECO (electricity and natural gas services).

Watch the recording to learn more about the roles of the Office of Consumer Advocate and the PUC, and the processes they’re required to undertake by law when a PA utility requests a rate increase, as well as guidance for how to offer your own input to the PUC when your utility does so. For example, Patrick talks about:

• What types of experiences you should share related to the utility’s rates and services;
• What to expect when attending a public input hearing; and
• Preparing a written statement, and how to emphasize key points.