Pennsylvania HB 2184: An Act amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in powers and duties, providing for public interest; and, in rates and distribution systems, further providing for rates to be just and reasonable, for voluntary changes in rates and for rates fixed on complaint and investigation of costs of production.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2840 PRINTER'S NO. 3673
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2184
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY OTTEN, WAXMAN, PROBST, HILL-EVANS, RABB, HADDOCK,
HOWARD, STEELE, SAPPEY, PROKOPIAK, POWELL, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
PARKER, FRANKEL, CIRESI, RIVERA, WEBSTER, BRENNAN,
SHUSTERMAN, FREEMAN, VITALI, BOROWSKI, HANBIDGE, D. WILLIAMS,
O'MARA, McNEILL, PIELLI, INGLIS, DEASY, KHAN, HARKINS,
CONKLIN, KRAJEWSKI, SALISBURY, KINKEAD, TAKAC, MAYES AND
KRUPA, JANUARY 30, 2026
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, TECHNOLOGY
AND UTILITIES, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED,
JUNE 23, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further
providing for definitions; in powers and duties, providing
for public interest; and, in rates and distribution systems,
further providing for rates to be just and reasonable, for
voluntary changes in rates and for rates fixed on complaint
and investigation of costs of production.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 102 of Title 66 of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a definition to read:
§ 102. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
provisions of this part which are applicable to specific
provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when
used in this part shall have, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
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* * *
"Public interest." Factors used to determine public interest
by the commission under section 531 (relating to public
interest).
"PUBLIC INTEREST." THE PUBLIC INTEREST STANDARD, AS
DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 531 (RELATING TO PUBLIC
INTEREST), IN A PROCEEDING UNDER SECTION 531, 1301 (RELATING TO
RATES TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE), 1308 (RELATING TO VOLUNTARY
CHANGES IN RATES) OR 1309 (RELATING TO RATES FIXED ON COMPLAINT;
INVESTIGATION OF COSTS OF PRODUCTION). IN ANOTHER PROCEEDING,
THE TERM HAS THE MEANING OTHERWISE APPLICABLE UNDER THIS TITLE
AND COMMISSION AND JUDICIAL PRECEDENT.
* * *
Section 2. Title 66 is amended by adding a section to read:
§ 531. Public interest.
(a) Public interest findings.--When making a decision
regarding a utility, the commission shall use the following to
determine whether the decision is in the public interest:
(1) The affordability of utility rates for current and
future residential customers.
(2) The utility's plans for use of an all-of-the-above
energy strategy, including:
(i) development of distributed generation resources;
(ii) development of renewable energy and storage
resources;
(iii) generation resources with little or no
volatility in fuel prices; and
(iv) demand-side resources, including energy
efficiency, to insulate customers from future rate
increases and bill increases.
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(3) Modernization and improvement of the reliability of
Pennsylvania's electric grid, if applicable, including both
the transmission and distribution grid.
(4) Protection of public health and the environment,
including reduction of air emissions, water withdrawals,
water consumption and water discharges.
(5) The potential for economic growth, including:
(i) jobs;
(ii) economic output; and
(iii) State and local tax revenues.
(6) Improvement of utility reliability and resiliency.
(7) Improvements in energy efficiency.
(8) Environmental justice considerations.
(b) Documentation.--The commission shall include public
interest findings under subsection (a) in all decisions relating
to public utilities.
§ 531. PUBLIC INTEREST.
(A) APPLICATION.--
(1) THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
PROCEEDINGS:
(I) A RATE PROCEEDING UNDER SECTION 1301 (RELATING
TO RATES TO BE JUST AND REASONABLE), 1308 (RELATING TO
VOLUNTARY CHANGES IN RATES) OR 1309 (RELATING TO RATES
FIXED ON COMPLAINT; INVESTIGATION OF COSTS OF
PRODUCTION).
(II) A MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE APPROVAL PROCEEDING IN
WHICH THE TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROPOSED EXCEEDS
$50,000,000 OR IN WHICH 10,000 OR MORE RESIDENTIAL
CUSTOMERS MAY BE AFFECTED.
(III) ANOTHER PROCEEDING IN WHICH THE COMMISSION
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DETERMINES THAT PUBLIC INTEREST FINDINGS UNDER THIS
SECTION ARE MATERIAL TO THE OUTCOME.
(2) IN A PROCEEDING UNDER PARAGRAPH (1), THE COMMISSION
SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROCEEDING IS IN THE PUBLIC
INTEREST BY CONSIDERING THE FACTORS UNDER SUBSECTIONS (B),
(C), (D) AND (E), AS APPLICABLE.
(3) IF A PROCEEDING INVOLVES MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF
PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE, THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIDER THE
FACTORS APPLICABLE TO EACH TYPE OF SERVICE.
(B) ELECTRIC SERVICE.--WHEN MAKING A DECISION REGARDING A
PUBLIC UTILITY FURNISHING ELECTRIC SERVICE, THE COMMISSION SHALL
CONSI