Utilities won’t be shut off in Pennsylvania amid coronavirus pandemic

No one’s utilities are legally going to be turned off as long as Gov. Tom Wolf’s proclamation of disaster related to the coronavirus is in effect, according to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille.

Dutrieuille signed an emergency order Friday prohibiting electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, telecommunication, and steam utility terminations.

"I believe that issuance of an emergency order is appropriate under the unique circumstances,” Dutrieuille said in the emergency order. "It is beyond argument that the provision of public utility service is necessary for the safety of the public. This is especially the case under the current challenges that resulted in the Proclamation of a pandemic emergency.”

Terminations would only be permitted in the event of a safety emergency, the PUC statement reported.

An emergency order is only ordered when there is a "clear and present danger to life or property or when the relief requested is uncontested and action is required prior to the next scheduled public meeting,” according to the commission’s regulations governing emergency relief.

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