Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chairman Wendell Holland announced that the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners recognized Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a Day of Utility Service, similar to an initiative by Pennsylvania’s PUC.

“The designation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a Day of Utility Service by NARUC is especially significant as it furthers one of Dr. King’s greatest legacies, which was to improve the human condition,” Holland said.  “Through public education, we can reach out to consumers in Pennsylvania and the nation to emphasize the significance of community service, while protecting the environment and saving energy.”

WENDELL HOLLAND

The PUC celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a Day of Utility Service in January of this year, by launching a short-term public awareness initiative and asking Pennsylvania utility customers to help people in their community save energy and “Prepare Now” for winter heating bills.  The statewide efforts included print ads, as well as radio ads recorded by Holland, and commissioners Tyrone Christy and Kim Pizzingrilli.

Similar to Pennsylvania’s campaign this year, the national resolution encourages Americans to turn down the thermostat, weatherize their homes, change their incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, and install water saving devices.  The board of directors for NARUC resolves to use this national day of service to improve the lives of all American ratepayers and to encourage Americans to engage in a utility act of service on Dr. King’s holiday.

“The adoption of this resolution by our national organization reflects the core messages of conservation and energy efficiency. We have sent these messages repeatedly from the consumer affairs committee of NARUC and our individual states,” said Tennessee Regulatory Authority Director Ron Jones, chairman of the NARUC Committee on Consumer Affairs.