ELLWOOD CITY – Following months of negotiations and legislative intervention, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today praised Ellwood City Borough Council for adopting changes to Ellwood City Electric, which he said will ensure consumer protection, price stability and increased transparency for residents.
The actions came after Bernstine and Sen. Elder Vogel (R-47) issued a letter to council members last month urging immediate implementation of several consumer-based changes. Bernstine’s legislation requiring the borough to adopt changes passed the House in April and was awaiting consideration by the Senate.
The changes adopted or being considered by council include providing advance notice of rate structures, adhering to Public Utility Commission requirements for electricity shutoff, reduction of reactivation fees and prohibitive costs for restart of service after shutoff, increased payment periods for billing and increased opportunities for public input on policies.
“This is an issue we’ve been working to get resolved since my first day in office, so this is a big win for Ellwood City residents,” said Bernstine. “These good-faith efforts by the council prove it is serious about resolving long-standing issues with Ellwood Electric.”
Bernstine also noted that as a result of the consumer protection, price stability and increased transparency changes accepted by the council, he will rescind efforts to bring about legislative controls.
“My hope all along was to find a way to give affected Ellwood City residents peace of mind without relying on a legislative solution,” Bernstine said. “I have sent a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee Tommy Tomlinson (R-6) and Sen. Vogel requesting the Senate committee does not take any further action on the legislation.”
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