UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Pennsylvania residents should be aware of a new law that allows utility companies to shut off their customers' utility services under certain circumstances, according to an energy expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. The law, formally called The Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act, applies to all Pennsylvania residents who get their electricity, natural gas and/or water services from any of the investor-owned companies throughout the commonwealth, according to Dennis Buffington, professor of agricultural engineering..

"The law was installed to protect responsible, utility-paying customers from rate increases that might occur when other customers choose not to properly pay their utility bills, even though they can afford the expenses," says Buffington.

Buffington warns that a utility provider may shut off electricity, heat or water supplies in the event that a consumer fails to pay his or her bills, or if consumers have not followed through on their payment arrangements, have not paid their required deposits, or have for any reason forbidden the company to access its equipment on their property.

"The new law permits utility companies to shut off any and all services to a home if the residents have not met payment standards, even in the winter months," says Buffington. "The utility will be allowed to do so when customers fail to act as responsible utility consumers in cases where a household's annual income level exceeds 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Any four-person household that earns more than an average of $48,375 annually will be subject to the law." The utility company is required to notify affected customers well before it dismantles any of their services, Buffington explains. Customers will receive notification in the mail 10 days prior to the intended shut-off date. "Utility companies are also required to contact you again if they have not heard from you by three days before they turn off your utilities," he says. "If the company is still unable to reach you, it will leave a 48-hour notice at your residential location.

"The utility companies will be sure that you are aware of their intentions to terminate your services so that you can make arrangements to avoid termination," Buffington adds.

"If a member of your household has a certified health condition, utility shut-offs can be avoided. By providing a medical letter which states that the ill person will be harmed by shutting off the utilities in your home, the company will grant you an extra 30-day initial grace period on your payment plans."

Utilities will be restored within 24 hours of payment of overdue bills during the winter months, Buffington notes. At that time, the utility company reserves the right to charge for the full balance of a customer's bill, also additional service deposits and reconnection fees, based on individual household income and payment history.

"You must recognize that a utility company can shut off your service at any time without giving you any advance notice," Buffington says. "Your basic utility provider has the power to terminate your service without giving prior notification if you have been caught stealing utility services, getting service through fraud, tampering with your utility meter or failing to maintain safe service conditions. "The Responsible Utility Customer Protection Act has been set to improve the safety and services that our commonwealth's utility companies provide, and is intended to punish only those who take advantage of their basic utility provisions."

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EDITORS: Contact Dennis Buffington at 814-865-2971 or by e-mail Deb2@psu.edu.

Writer: Natalie Inger 917-678-8001

Editor: Jeff Mulhollem 814-863-2719