 The
Energy Association of Pennsylvania's Members
are either electric distribution companies or
natural gas
distribution companies in Pennsylvania as defined in Chapters 28
and 22, respectively, of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Code and
are subject to the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Public Utility
Commission. EAP members generate
revenues in
excess of $16
billion annually.
OUR
MISSION.
The mission of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania is to
help our member companies:
meet their customer and shareholder expectations;
achieve shared corporate goals;
demonstrate to government officials and the public that
we are valuable corporate citizens; and
promote the value of electricity
and natural gas while encouraging its
efficient use.
To those ends, we have a staff of professionals who coordinate EAPA’s
efforts and monitor important issues. They help ensure that we protect and promote the
products and services of our members in the public policy arena. Employees of our member
companies serve on EAPA committees and task forces that explore issues in depth and host
educational forums for members to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Some of our projects include:
Working with our members to
coordinate the activities and regulatory initiatives related
to the implementation of customer choice and competition. We recently restructured
EAPA to emphasize the cooperative roles among our members through standing regulatory,
legislative, and environmental committees.
Organizing issue-oriented task
forces to keep our members up-to-date on current issues and develop policy positions when
necessary.
Helping our members continue
their successful efforts to distribute natural gas and electricity efficiently and in an
environmentally-responsible manner.
Sponsoring
seminars and conferences to enhance our members' knowledge of
current issues and industry best practices.
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And,
in June, 1997, we sponsored the Electrotechnology Expo at our State Capitol Building to promote the economic
and environmental value of electricity to Pennsylvania.
OBJECTIVES. These projects, and others like them, are helping
our Association and its member companies achieve the
objectives they have set forth. Those objectives are in four key areas.
Legislative and Regulatory
Relations: Identify and influence public policy issues that affect the customers,
shareholders and employees of Pennsylvania’s investor-owned, state-regulated electric
utility industry.
Industry Advocacy: Develop and
effectively communicate unified company positions on key issues to targeted audiences.
Information Exchange: Provide
industry information and insight on existing and emerging issues for key public audiences
and member companies’ employees.
Organizational Relations:
Establish and maintain relationships with all other organizations whose actions can affect
EAPA’s successful pursuit of its goals.
Top
Our
History
Prior to today's operations as the Energy Association of
Pennsylvania, which represents the electric and natural gas
distribution companies in Pennsylvania, two separate organizations
existed...the Pennsylvania Gas Association (PGA) and the
Pennsylvania Electric Association (PEA). The
Pennsylvania Electric Association was created when it became clear that the many electric utilities in Pennsylvania
could be more effective by working together. In 1908, Mr. L.H. Conklin, the President of
West Penn Power Company in Connellsville, sent a letter to all power and light companies
expressing his idea for a statewide organization. As a result of his letter, ten companies
sent representatives to Harrisburg on January 15, 1908, primarily to discuss association
membership. At that meeting, Mr. Conklin was elected the first president of
PEA. Before
the first annual meeting was held (at Eagles Mere) in that same year, twenty additional
electric companies had been added to the membership.
At that time, the gas
utilities were also members of the group. But, in 1963, the
gas utilities formed their own association, the Pennsylvania Gas
Association (PGA).
During PEA's early days many companies doubted
that a state organization would add to the benefits already available through the National
Electric Light Association (NELA). Such concerns were alleviated by the diligent efforts
of the organizers. Subsequently, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania was established as
a state branch of NELA and retained this relationship until 1933 when the National
Association was dissolved.
In the early days
of the PEA, membership numbered in the hundreds
and included, in addition to the many small electric power
companies, firms in the electrical equipment and supplies
businesses. Membership eventually was limited only to electric
utilities, and gradual consolidation of the industry resulted.
In addition, electric power generation companies
"spun-off" in early 2000 to form what is known as
the Electric Power Generation Association.
Through the years the character of the two Associations has changed in a number of ways. Initially, there
were a few standing committees. Most of each Association's efforts were directed at
specific problems -- for example, pole taxes, capitalization, overhead railroad crossings,
limited franchises and public liability. Each was brought before the annual meeting for
report and open discussion. Today's activities have broadened immensely and
the Energy Association of Pennsylvania has
achieved an enviable position of influence in the industry and of leadership among state
associations.
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About Our Web Site
We have organized the information in our
web site to be easily accessible. EAPA members can to turn
to a special For Members
area, where they can interact with colleagues and learn
about fast-breaking developments in the industry.
Everyone who uses electricity, at home or at
work, should jump to the Consumer
Information section, where you will find up-to-date information about the
opening of Pennsylvania’s electric markets to competition, and what you should know
about choosing an electric supplier.
Members of the media
can find what they need in
What’s New,
including news about the electric industry in
Pennsylvania,
and EAPA press releases and event information.
And everyone will benefit from Gas
and Electricity in Pennsylvania,
which explores what the electric industry has meant to our state, and how we are working
to protect our environment even as we provide the backbone service of our economy.
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Thank you for your interest in the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the first trade association devoted to serving the needs and
interests of the Commonwealth’s electric distribution
companies and natural gas distribution companies. Since 1908 we have provided
industry information and insights, helped develop and communicate consensus member company
positions on important issues, and brought our members’ interests to the attention of
the public, policy makers, and the media.