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Pennsylvania State Senate
04/25/2024 03:37 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20130&cosponId=13536
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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2013 - 2014 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: October 17, 2013 10:56 AM
From: Senator Michael J. Stack
To: All Senate members
Subject: Elimination of Friday shut-offs for Utility Companies
 
In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that would make changes to Act 201 of 2004. This legislation would prohibit Friday shut-offs for utility companies in the Commonwealth. This bill would also extend the sunset provision for another five (5) years. The sunset provision is slated to end on December 31, 2014. This would extend it until December 31, 2019.

We are finding that Friday shut-offs have been become problematic for rate-payers across the Commonwealth. I have heard from numerous constituents on how discontinuing utility services on a Friday set into motion an entire episode of pitfalls for working families not only in Philadelphia but across Pennsylvania.

While utility companies have provided that maintenance workers and line workers on staff during Saturdays, this remedies only part of the equation. The problem with a utility companie disconnecting service on a Friday is that many community and social service programs are not open on Saturdays. In many cases, in order for service to be restored, community or faith-based organizations provide financial assistance as well. They are not open on weekend or holidays.

Moreover, most banks and credit unions are closed on weekends and holidays as well. This puts enormous stress on working families, the elderly and countless rate payers in our Commonwealth. Both the Public Utility Commission as well as organizations on the local level have asked that Friday shut-offs be discontinued. The PUC testified before the House Consumer Protection Committee on how - regarding Friday shut-offs, "it cannot be disputed that termination of utility service represents a risk to families in Pennsylvania."

If you wish to co-sponsor this legislation but have additional questions, please contact my Harrisburg office. Thank you for your interest.


Introduced as SB1179