Highlighted Projects
PULP is currently engaged in numerous consumer-focused activities,
including those listed below. If you would like further information
about any of these matters, we welcome you to contact us.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) 2009-2010
Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
(DPW) administers the LIHEAP program, a federally funded program
that helps low-income clients to heat their residence over
the cold weather months. PULP and many others submitted testimony and comments regarding the Proposed State Plan for Fiscal Year 2010, initially developed by DPW.
The Final State Plan contains numerous modifications to the LIHEAP program for Fiscal Year 2010, including changes in opening and closing dates, income eligibility limits, and minimum/maximum benefit amounts.
The Program as it is now proposed:
- CASH component will run from November 2, 2009 – April 2, 2010
- CRISIS component will run from January 4, 2010 – April 2, 2010
- A household may receive only one crisis benefit during the program year
- Income eligibility is set at 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines
- Minimum CASH benefit - $100
- Maximum CASH benefit - $1,000
- Minimum CRISIS benefit - $25
- Maximum CRISIS benefit - $400
- Renters who pay for heat indirectly for their residence as an undesignated part of rent will receive 50 percent of the LIHEAP cash benefit for which they would otherwise qualify.
- The pilot Oil Discount Program, successfully completed last year in Blair, Clearfield, Columbia and Wayne counties, will be expanded to Lackawanna, Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, and Wyoming counties during the 2009-2010 heating season.
Although the LIHEAP program is not presently scheduled to open until November 2, DPW began mailing applications the week of October 5 to households that received a benefit last year. PLEASE NOTE: Because the income limit last year (2008-2009) was higher, eligibility last year does not guarantee eligibility this year (2009-2010).
Information about LIHEAP can be obtained by referring to
the DPW Web site, or by contacting PULP, your local county
assistance office, or your
utility company.
Chapter 56 Rulemaking Process
Chapter 56 of Title 52 of the Pennsylvania Code contains
regulations governing how regulated public utility companies
conduct residential billing. Chapter 56 has been a model of
progressive utility regulation for more than a decade, with
states from across the country using it to shape their own
regulations.
PULP is representing the interests of low-income, residential
utility customers in current proceedings (Docket No. L-00060182)
that are aimed at modifying and improving Chapter 56 regulations.
Universal Service Programs Funding Rulemaking
Pennsylvania law requires public utilities to operate universal
service programs to help low-income and lower income Pennsylvanians
access and maintain essential utility service.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, at Dockets No.
M-00072036 and No. L-00070186, is currently amending its policies
and rules for how these programs are funded and for how they
will be designed and operated by utilities. PULP is representing
the interests of low-income, residential utility customers
in this proceeding.
Energy Legislation & Chapter 14
On December 14, 2004, Governor Rendell signed into law Chapter
14 of the Public Utility Code, known as the “Responsible
Utility Customer Protection Act.” This law, frequently
called “Chapter 14,” has had
significant, unintended negative effects, including:
- increased
termination levels for low-income families
- increased numbers
of families going into the winter months without a safe heating
source
- increased difficulty for families who have lost utility
service to be able to afford restoration of this service
PULP works continually to educate the public and policymakers
about the negative impacts of Chapter 14, and advocates ways
to improve the law. |
