Notes of Decisions
Agency Authority
The Public Utility Commission erred in requiring the natural gas company to calculate patron’s monthly budget bill for the 1994-95 winter heating season based on LIHEAP benefits that patron received during the 1993-94 winter heating season. By this order, the Commission had in effect determined that the patron would be eligible for LIHEAP benefits in 1994-95 and that the patron would be entitled to the same amount of assistance as was received in 1993-94. However, the Commission was without authority to make such a determination; only the Department of Public Welfare can decide whether the patron is eligible for LIHEAP benefits and, if eligible, the amount of benefits the patron should receive. Peoples Natural Gas Co. v. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, 664 A.2d 664 (Pa. Cmwlth. 1995).
