2020 Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network Statewide Virtual Training Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2020 PLAN Virtual Statewide Conference

All workshops will be presented virtually by webinar on the Zoom platform. You must register for individual workshop webinars by clicking the Register for the Webinar button appearing in the workshop description and completing the registration information to be admitted into the webinar.

Pennsylvania CLE credits will be available to attorneys who actively participate in webinars and indicate their participation through polls displayed periodically during the webinars.

2:00pm EDT

Utility Law Review and Update: Utility Advocacy for Assistance in the COVID-19 Era

This interactive session for new and seasoned advocates will cover the latest changes in utility assistance programs and energy advocacy in Pennsylvania.

Participants will learn about the current regulations governing billing. collections, and terminations, including a real-time update on shut off moratorium defense and policy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participants will also receive a refresher on regulatory protections, available assistance programs, and other critical issues faced by low income utility consumers.

Speakers

Giovanna Brackbill

Legal Fellow, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project

Giovanna Brackbill is a temporary part-time Legal Fellow, working under the supervision of PULP’s staff attorneys, while she studies for the PA bar exam. She serves individuals calling PULP’s utility hotline and works on COVID moratorium defense & post-moratorium policy advocacy... Read More →

Ria Pereira

Staff Attorney, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project

Ria Pereira is a staff attorney at the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project (PULP) where she provides legal representation, training, consultation, and support services in utility and energy matters affecting low-income residents and community organizations in Pennsylvania.

Josie Pickens

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Co-Director Energy Unit

Josie B.H. Pickens is a supervising attorney and co-director of the Energy Unit at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS). She represents low-income residential utility consumers in disputes to access and afford utility service. Her practice includes systemic advocacy and... Read More →

Utility Law Updates PPT Sept 2020 Final pptx

Utility Law Updates PPT Sept 2020 Slides pdf

Thursday September 10, 2020 2:00pm - 3:15pm EDT
Zoom .

Utililty Law

CLE Credit 1.0 Substantive Credit

2:00pm EDT

Water Affordability and Dealing with Unregulated Utilities

Most Pennsylvanians are provided water and sewer service by municipal authorities that are unregulated by the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The limited statutory requirements that apply to them are limited and not well-known.

This interactive session for new and seasoned advocates will cover how to handle cases dealing with unregulated utilities, including: the difference between regulated and unregulated utilities, long term consequences of water privatization, consumer protections, due process issues around appealing grounds for termination, how to obtain documentation, and how to advocate with a local municipal authority on behalf of your clients.

We will also discuss emerging trends in water and wastewater assistance programs at regulated and unregulated water companies across the state.

Speakers

Dan Vitek

Staff Attorney, Community Justice Project

Dan Vitek is a supervising attorney with the Community Justice Project. He focuses on tenant rights, utilities, and fair housing. In his free time, he enjoys talking with legal aid advocates about the comings and goings of mobile home park life.

Robert Ballenger

Co-Director – Energy Unit, Community Legal Services

Robert Ballenger is an attorney for CLS’s Energy Unit, where he works to restore and maintain clients’ access to essential utilities. Mr. Ballenger has been admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania since 2004, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania... Read More →

John Sweet

Senior Attorney, Pennsylvania Utility Law Project

John Sweet serves as a Senior Attorney at Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, where he provides legal representation, advocacy, training, consultation, and support services in energy and utility matters affecting low-income residents of Pennsylvania.

PLAN 2020 Water Affordability and Unregulated Utilities Final pptx

USTRA One Pager rp062220js pdf

SAMPLE USTRA Complaint and Injunction FINAL docx

Recommended Reforms 10192018 pdf

SAMPLE USTRA Complaint and Injunction FINAL pdf

PLAN 2020 Water Affordability and Unregulated Utilities Presentation Slides pdf

Thursday September 24, 2020 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Zoom .

Utililty Law

CLE Credit 1.0 Substantive Credit

2:00pm EDT

How to Assess a Utility Case

Energy and utility advocates will give a practical training on how to assess a utility case from intake through the dispute process.

The training will cover questions to ask on intake, how to review a customer bill, how to negotiate with a utility, and how to initiate a complaint with the PUC.

This training is for new advocates and those with limited experience assessing utility cases. Presenters will share best practices and strategies for maximizing the limited resources available to assist low-income customers.

Speakers