In Public Utility Commission, further providing for consumer protection and information.
Summary
SB1254 would amend Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Code to require the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to create and maintain a centralized public database of all rates the commission oversees. The database would have to be publicly accessible on the PUC’s website, searchable by company, entity, utility type, year, or docket number, and updated within 10 days of the commission receiving a rate increase request. It would also need to include at least 20 years of historical information on rates and rate increase requests.
The bill is framed as a consumer protection and transparency measure. It does not change how rates are approved, but it would make rate-related filings and historical information easier for the public to find and compare. The PUC would be allowed to contract with a third party to operate the database, and the act would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Impact
SB1254 would add a new subsection to section 308.1 of Title 66, expanding the PUC’s consumer information duties by imposing a specific obligation to build and maintain a searchable public rate database. In practical terms, it would require the commission to collect, organize, and publish rate and rate increase request information across regulated utilities, including historical records going back at least 20 years. The bill would affect the PUC, regulated utility companies, and consumers seeking information about utility rates and pending rate cases.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes, the measure appears to be a straightforward transparency proposal with an informational rather than regulatory focus. Its stated purpose suggests generally favorable treatment for consumer access and public oversight. No formal opposition or support is documented in the provided materials, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from legislative action history.
Contention
The main policy issue is the administrative burden of compiling and maintaining a comprehensive, searchable database of decades of utility rate information, especially the requirement to update the system within 10 days of each rate increase request. Utility companies or the PUC could view the mandate as resource-intensive, while consumer advocates would likely support the added transparency. Another possible point of contention is whether the commission should build the system itself or contract with a third party, though the bill leaves that choice to the PUC.
Providing for Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission oversight of load forecasting, for access to confidential contracts and information and for annual report.
In natural gas competition, further providing for consumer protections and customer service; in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for duties of electric distribution companies; and making an editorial change.
Public Utilities and Public Transportation; a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission or other agencies concerning public utilities; reestablish
In restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for definitions and for duties of electric distribution companies and providing for duties of public utilities.
In natural gas competition, further providing for standards for restructuring of natural gas utility industry, for consumer protections and customer service and for requirements for natural gas suppliers; and, in restructuring of electric utility industry, further providing for standards for restructuring of electric industry, for duties of electric distribution companies and for requirements for electric generation suppliers.
In ordinances, further providing for publication; in council, further providing for publication of proposed ordinance; and, in county commissioners and chief clerks, further providing for ordinances and resolutions.