Pa. says more homes without heat this year

Pennsylvania utility regulators say that 23,213 households throughout the state lack heat compared with 19,653 households without heat a year ago, according to its Cold Weather Survey.

The survey by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission indicated that 5,607 Peco Energy Co. households who heat with electricity lack service this year compared with 4,379 households a year ago.

There were 9,855 gas-fired PGW households in Philadelphia without heat this year. Last year the number was 8,790. PUC spokeswoman Denise McCracken said she did not know why the numbers were higher this year.

- Bob Fernandez