On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro sent a letter to the CEOs of every Pennsylvania utility. In the letter he outlines three criteria by which the new appointed affordability counsel will evaluate future utility rate requests. These requirements must be met in order to gain the governor’s support. Otherwise, presumably, the new affordability counsel will oppose the rate increase. Since the Public Utility Code has not been modified, the PUC would not be permitted or required to give the Governor deference in reaching decisions about rate increases, but common sense suggests otherwise.
