Jul. 02, 2019
HARRISBURG – Legislation introduced by state Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie) to reform Pennsylvania’s public utility laws was today signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf in Harrisburg.
“These are commonsense reforms for the Commonwealth’s public utility laws,” Roae said. “We want our laws to enable utilities to provide quality services to customers at affordable prices.”
Current law requires utilities and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to communicate through registered or certified mail in certain instances involving lawsuits. The new law authored by Roae will allow them to communicate through email as long as both parties agreed to it.
“Printing and mailing large documents can cost utilities and regulators both time and money,” Roae said. “This law says, as long as both parties agree, that it’s acceptable to send the information through email.”
Roae’s measure also reforms the way water and sewer utilities’ income tax liability is calculated to bring it in line with the way electric and natural gas utilities are taxed. The tax change specifically relates to a provision affecting water and sewer utilities when they extend service to a new area.
Roae’s
House Bill 751 also updates the legal definition of a service line to include water and sewer lines.
“We want to create an environment in Pennsylvania where utility companies can meet the needs of their customers without being burdened by outdated or ineffective rules,” Roae said. “We want Pennsylvania utility customers to have access to efficient and effective services.”
Roae’s new law takes effect in 60 days.
Residents can learn more about Roae by visiting his website at
RepRoae.com and following him on Facebook at
Facebook.com/RepRoae.
Representative Brad Roae
6th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Dan Massing
717.772.9845
dmassing@pahousegop.com
RepRoae.com /
Facebook.com/RepRoae