reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
66 PA Cons Stat § 1315 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1315 - Limitation on consideration of certain costs for electric utilities

§ 1315. Limitation on consideration of certain costs for electric utilities.  Except for such nonrevenue producing, nonexpense reducing investments as may be reasonably shown to be necessary to improve environmental conditions at existing facilities or improve safety at existing facilities or as may be required to convert facilities to the utilization of coal, the cost of construction or expansion of a facility undertaken by a public utility producing, generating, transmitting, distributing or furnishing electricity shall not be made a part of the rate base nor otherwise included in the rates charged by the electric utility until such time as the facility is used and useful in service to the public. Except as stated in this section, no electric utility property shall be deemed used and useful until it is presently providing actual utility service to the customers. (Dec. 30, 1982, P.L.1473, No.335, eff. imd.)    1982 Amendment. Act 335 added section 1315. Section 2 of Act 335 provided that Act 335 shall be applicable to all proceedings pending before the Public Utility Commission and the courts at the time and also provided that nothing contained in Act 335 shall be construed to modify or change existing law with regard to rate making treatment of investment in facilities of fixed utilities other than electric utilities.  Cross References. Section 1315 is referred to in sections 315, 514, 521, 530, 1319 of this title.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1316.1 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1316.1 - Recovery of club dues

§ 1316.1. Recovery of club dues.  No public utility may charge to its customers as a permissible operating expense for ratemaking purposes membership fees, dues or charges to fraternal, social or sports clubs or organizations.  (July 10, 1986, P.L.1238, No.114, eff. imd.)    1986 Amendment. Act 114 added section 1316.1.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1319 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1319 - Financing of energy supply alternatives

§ 1319. Financing of energy supply alternatives.   (a) Recovery of certain additional expenses.--If: (1) a natural gas or electric public utility elects to establish a conservation or load management program and that program is approved by the commission after a determination by the commission that the program is prudent and cost-effective; or (2) the commission orders a natural gas or electric public utility to establish a conservation or load management program that the commission determines to be prudent and cost-effective; the commission shall allow the public utility to recover all prudent and reasonable costs associated with the development, management, financing and operation of the program, provided that such prudent and reasonable costs shall be recovered only in accordance with appropriate accounting principles. Nothing in this section shall permit the recovery of costs in a manner prohibited by section 1315 (relating to limitation on consideration of certain costs for electric utilities). Nothing in this section shall permit the recovery of the cost of producing, generating, transmitting, distributing or furnishing electricity or natural gas.  (b) Option for recovery.--The commission may consider allowing the recovery of those costs permitted to be recovered by subsection (a) through charges to those persons who are participants in the financing program.  (Dec. 21, 1984, P.L.1270, No.241, eff. imd.; July 10, 1986, P.L.1238, No.114, eff. imd.)
66 PA Cons Stat § 1320 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1320 - Fuel purchase audits by complaint

§ 1320. Fuel purchase audits by complaint.  (1) Upon complaint, the commission shall conduct an audit of an electric public utility's purchases of fuel for generating purposes. Such an audit shall examine the utility's fuel purchasing activities for the two years prior to the date of such complaint, provided that: (i) The utility does its own testing or procures its own analysis of its fuel. (ii) The fuel cost of the utility for the most recently completed fiscal year exceeds that of the prior fiscal year by more than 5%. (iii) The commission has not completed and made available to the public a fuel purchase audit of the utility in the past two years. (2) This audit, which shall be completed within one year of the date of initiation of the complaint, shall include, but not be limited to, a comparison of unit price paid for fuel for generating purposes, considering such factors as ash, sulfur content, British thermal units, transportation costs and reliability of supply. (3) The audit shall seek to determine whether the public utility's fuel purchasing procedures are conducted in such a manner as to result in the greatest benefit to the ratepayers. (4) The commission's audit report shall contain recommendations as to methods by which the utility's fuel purchasing procedures can be adjusted so as to result in the greatest benefit to the ratepayers. (5) The commission shall take the audit report into consideration at the utility's next request for a rate adjustment. (6) Upon completion and release by the commission, copies of the audit report summary shall be mailed to every person who requests a copy.  (July 10, 1986, P.L.1238, No.114, eff. imd.)    1986 Amendment. Act 114 added section 1320.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1321 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1321 - Recovery of certain employee meeting expenses

§ 1321. Recovery of certain employee meeting expenses.  No public utility may charge to its customers as a permissible operating expense for ratemaking purposes any portion or portions of the direct or indirect costs of meetings, conferences, seminars or other events conducted by the utility for its employees, managers or directors which portion or portions of such costs represent expenditures for activities or items unrelated to the business or civic purpose of the event, such as costs for entertainment, recreation, athletic activities, personal clothing or other personal effects.  (July 10, 1986, P.L.1238, No.114, eff. imd.)    1986 Amendment. Act 114 added section 1321.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1324 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1324 - Residential telephone service rates based on duration or distance of call

§ 1324. Residential telephone service rates based on duration or distance of call.   (a) Required charging method.--In addition to any other method of charging offered on an optional basis, a telecommunications utility providing local exchange telephone service to residential customers within a certified exchange area must provide service which charges, for calls originating and terminating within the same local calling area, on the basis of a flat monthly fee for all such calls made.  (b) Options.--If the commission determines that a telecommunications utility may offer to residential customers an optional method of charging for calls originating and terminating within the same local calling area based, in whole or in part, on the duration or distance of the call, it shall also offer a rate which charges for such calls only on the basis of the number of calls made.  (c) Rate relationship.--In addition to any other requirements imposed by this title, the rates for services required or permitted pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) shall be maintained at just and reasonable levels in comparison to one another.  (d) Nonresidential rates pursuant to another section.--Nothing in this section shall preclude the commission from establishing rates for other classes of telephone service based upon another section of this title.  (July 10, 1986, P.L.1238, No.114, eff. imd.)    1986 Amendment. Act 114 added section 1324.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1326 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1326 - Standby charge prohibited

§ 1326. Standby charge prohibited.   (a) Prohibition.--A public utility that furnishes water to or for the public shall not impose a standby charge on owners of residential structures equipped with automatic fire protection systems.  (b) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "standby charge" means an amount, in addition to the regular rate, assessed against the owner of a residential structure for the reason that the residential structure is equipped with an automatic fire protection system.  (July 6, 1988, P.L.490, No.83, eff. imd.)    1988 Amendment. Act 83 added section 1326.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1328 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1328 - Determination of public fire hydrant rates

§ 1328. Determination of public fire hydrant rates.   (a) General rule.--A public utility that furnishes water to or for the public shall be allowed to recover in rates the full cost of service related to public fire hydrants.  (b) Charge to municipalities and other customers of the public utility.--  (1) In determining the rates to be charged for public fire hydrants by a public utility that furnishes water to or for the public, the commission shall as part of a utility's general rate proceeding provide for the recovery of the costs of public fire hydrants in such a manner that the municipalities in which those public fire hydrants are located are not charged for more than 25% of the cost of service for those public fire hydrants, as such cost of service is reasonably determined by the commission. (2) The commission shall also as part of the utility's general rate proceeding provide for the recovery of the remaining cost of service for those public fire hydrants not recovered from the municipalities under paragraph (1) by assessing all customers of the public utility the remaining cost of service to the public fire hydrants. The remaining cost of service for those public fire hydrants shall be included in the public utility's fixed or service charge or minimum bill.  (c) Effect on current rates.--The legal rates charged to municipalities for public fire hydrants in effect on the effective date of this section shall remain frozen and shall not be changed until the present rates for those public fire hydrants are determined to be below the 25% ceiling established under subsection (b). The remaining cost of service for those public fire hydrants not recovered from the municipality shall be recovered from all customers of the public utility in the public utility's fixed or service charge or minimum bill.  (d) Definition.--As used in this section, the term "public fire hydrant" means a fire hydrant that is charged, at least in part, to a municipality such as a city, borough, town or township.  (June 30, 1995, P.L.165, No.23, eff. 60 days)    1995 Amendment. Act 23 added section 1328.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1350 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1350 - Scope of subchapter

§ 1350. Scope of subchapter. This subchapter shall provide an additional mechanism for a distribution system to recover costs related to the repair, improvement and replacement of eligible property.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1352 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1352 - Long-term infrastructure improvement plan

§ 1352. Long-term infrastructure improvement plan.   (a) Submission.--In order to be eligible to recover costs under section 1353 (relating to distribution system improvement charge), a utility must submit a long-term infrastructure improvement plan. The plan shall include the following: (1) Identification of the types and age of eligible property owned or operated by the utility for which the utility would seek recovery under this subchapter. (2) An initial schedule for the planned repair and replacement of eligible property. (3) A general description of the location of the eligible property. (4) A reasonable estimate of the quantity of eligible property to be improved. (5) Projected annual expenditures to implement the plan and measures taken to ensure that the plan is cost effective. (6) The manner in which the replacement of aging infrastructure will be accelerated and how the repair, improvement or replacement will ensure and maintain adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service. (7) If the plan is not adequate and sufficient to ensure and maintain adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service, the commission shall order a new or revised plan.  (b) Periodic review.--  (1) The commission shall promulgate regulations for the periodic review at least once every five years of long-term infrastructure plans. The regulations may authorize a utility to revise, update or resubmit a plan as appropriate. (2) The regulations shall ensure that a distribution system improvement charge shall terminate if the commission determines that the utility is not in compliance with the approved plan.    Cross References. Section 1352 is referred to in sections 1353, 1360 of this title.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1353 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1353 - Distribution system improvement charge

§ 1353. Distribution system improvement charge.   (a) Authority.--Except as provided under this subchapter, after January 1, 2013, a utility may petition the commission, or the commission, after notice and hearing, may approve the establishment of a distribution system improvement charge to provide for the timely recovery of the reasonable and prudent costs incurred to repair, improve or replace eligible property in order to ensure and maintain adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service.  (b) Petition.--A petition for commission approval of a distribution system improvement charge shall include the following: (1) An initial tariff that complies with a model tariff adopted by the commission. The proposed tariff shall include the following: (i) A description of the eligible property. (ii) The effective date of the distribution system improvement charge. (iii) Computation of the distribution system improvement charge. (iv) The method by which the utility will provide quarterly updates of the distribution improvement charge. (v) A description of consumer protections. (2) Testimony, affidavits, exhibits or other evidence that demonstrates that a distribution improvement system charge is in the public interest and will facilitate utility compliance with the following: (i) The provision and maintenance of adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service consistent with section 1501 (relating to character of service and facilities). (ii) Commission regulations and orders relating to the provision and maintenance of adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service. (iii) Any other requirement under Federal or State law relating to the provision and maintenance of adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service. (3) A long-term infrastructure improvement plan under section 1352 (relating to long-term infrastructure improvement plan). (4) Certification that a base rate case has been filed within five years prior to the date of the filing of the petition under section 1308(d) (relating to voluntary changes in rates). (5) If a base rate case has not been filed within five years prior to the date of the filing of the petition, the utility must file a base rate case in order to be eligible for a distribution system improvement charge. (6) Any other information required by the commission.    Cross References. Section 1353 is referred to in sections 1352, 1355 of this title.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1354 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1354 - Customer notice

§ 1354. Customer notice.  Utilities shall provide notice to customers in bill inserts or through other means as prescribed by the commission of the following: (1) Submission of the proposed distribution system improvement charge and initial tariff. (2) Notice of the commission's disposition of the submission under paragraph (1). (3) Any changes that occur as a result of quarterly adjustments. (4) Any other information required by the commission.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1355 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1355 - Review

§ 1355. Review.  Following the filing of a petition in compliance with section 1353 (relating to distribution system improvement charge), the commission shall, after notice and opportunity to be heard, approve, modify or reject the distribution system improvement charge and initial tariff. The commission shall hold evidentiary and public input hearings as necessary to review the petition.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1356 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1356 - Asset optimization plans

§ 1356. Asset optimization plans.  A utility with an approved distribution system charge and long-term infrastructure plan shall file annual asset optimization plans. The plan shall include the following: (1) A description that specifies all eligible property repaired, improved and replaced in the immediately preceding 12-month period pursuant to the utility's long-term infrastructure improvement plan and prior year's asset optimization plan. (2) A detailed description of all the facilities to be improved in the upcoming 12-month period.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1359 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1359 - Projects

§ 1359. Projects.   (a) Standards.--The commission shall establish standards to ensure that work on utility systems to repair, improve or replace eligible property is performed by qualified employees of either the utility or an independent contractor in a manner that protects system reliability and the safety of the public.  (b) Inspection.--Projects for which work to repair, improve or replace eligible property is performed by independent contractors shall be subject to reliability and safety standards and to inspection by utility employees.  (c) Cost.--Work on projects to repair, improve or replace eligible property that is not performed by qualified employees or contractors or inspected by the utility's qualified personnel shall not be eligible for recovery of a distribution system improvement charge.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1360 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 13 - Rates and Distribution Systems|Section 1360 - Applicability

§ 1360. Applicability.   (a) Acceptance.--The commission may accept a long-term infrastructure plan filed by a water utility prior to the effective date of this subsection in order to comply with section 1352 (relating to long-term infrastructure improvement plan).  (b) Submission.--The commission may require the submission of a new long-term infrastructure plan by a water utility.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1401 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 14 - Responsible Utility Customer Protection|Section 1401 - Scope of chapter

§ 1401. Scope of chapter. This chapter relates to protecting responsible customers of public utilities.
66 PA Cons Stat § 1402 (2021)
2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes|Title 66 - PUBLIC UTILITIES|Chapter 14 - Responsible Utility Customer Protection|Section 1402 - Declaration of policy

§ 1402. Declaration of policy.  The General Assembly finds and declares as follows: (1) Formal service rules were first adopted by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission in 1978 with the stated goal of enforcing uniform, fair and equitable residential utility service standards governing eligibility criteria, credit and deposit practices, account billing, termination and restoration of service procedures and customer complaint procedures. These rules have not successfully managed the issue of bill payment. Increasing amounts of unpaid bills now threaten paying customers with higher rates due to other customers' delinquencies. (2) The General Assembly believes that it is now time to revisit these rules and provide protections against rate increases for timely paying customers resulting from other customers' delinquencies. The General Assembly seeks to achieve greater equity by eliminating opportunities for customers capable of paying to avoid the timely payment of public utility bills. (3) Through this chapter, the General Assembly seeks to provide public utilities with an equitable means to reduce their uncollectible accounts by modifying the procedures for delinquent account collections and by increasing timely collections. At the same time, the General Assembly seeks to ensure that service remains available to all customers on reasonable terms and conditions. (4) The General Assembly believes that it is appropriate to provide additional collection tools to city natural gas distribution operations to recognize the financial circumstances of the operations and protect their ability to provide natural gas for the benefit of the residents of the city.