Abney supports new recommendations for storm response
PUC review identifies 10 recommendations for improving responses
Rep. Aerion Andrew Abney January 6, 2026 | 9:24 AM
HARRISBURG, Jan. 6 — State Rep. Aerion Abney, D-Allegheny, today expressed his support for a series of new recommendations from the state Public Utility Commission aimed at strengthening storm planning and coordination across Pennsylvania.
The PUC released a full post-storm review after spring storms last year battered western Pennsylvania, cutting electric service across swaths of the region and damaging many properties.
The PUC’s analysis resulted in 10 recommendations aimed at improving how utilities prepare for, respond to, and recover from widespread service outages.
“The state has a responsibility to do everything in its power to minimize the effects of severe storms on Pennsylvanians,” Abney said. “There are several ways we can do that, and I’m glad to see the PUC offer concrete recommendations to help protect people across the commonwealth.”
Key recommendations include re-establishing a statewide Electric Distribution Co. Storm Best Practices Group to translate lessons learned from storm responses into measurable improvements. Additional recommendations call on utilities to refine forecasting, strengthen call center performance during high-volume periods, enhance coordination with emergency management agencies, and continue investing in critical infrastructure improvements.
Abney is also sponsoring legislation that would protect Pennsylvanians from price gouging in the aftermath of damaging storms. He introduced the bill after residents reported unusually high repair estimates for storm-damaged properties last spring.
House Bill 1496 would close a critical loophole in the Pennsylvania Price Gouging Act to extend the law’s provisions to local disaster emergencies—those declared by municipalities, counties, or other local governing bodies. Provisions of the current act only apply to price increases during a state of disaster declared by the governor.
The bill cleared the House Consumer Protection, Technology and Utilities Committee in September, and Abney vowed to push for passage by the full House this year.
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