Moving to Pennsylvania: utilities and your first-month checklist
Which company serves your new address depends on where in Pennsylvania it is. Each link below goes to that company's own page for starting service. Start it two to three weeks ahead, from the day you get the keys.
Electric companies in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia and its suburbs (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties)PPL Electric Utilities
Central and eastern PA, including Lehigh Valley, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Scranton and Wilkes-BarreDuquesne Light
Pittsburgh: Allegheny and Beaver countiesWest Penn Power (FirstEnergy)
Southwestern, central and northern PA outside PittsburghMet-Ed (FirstEnergy)
South-central and eastern PA: Reading, York, Easton, Stroudsburg areasPenelec (FirstEnergy)
Northern and central PA: Erie, Altoona, Johnstown areasPenn Power (FirstEnergy)
Western PA: Lawrence, Butler, Mercer and Beaver counties
Natural gas in Pennsylvania
Philadelphia suburbs (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties)Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)
City of Philadelphia (city-owned)Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
Western and central PA, plus York areaPeoples Gas
Pittsburgh region and western PAUGI Utilities
Central and eastern PA, including Lancaster, Reading, Harrisburg, Lehigh Valley and northeast PANational Fuel Gas
Northwestern PA: Erie and surrounding counties
Water in Pennsylvania
Many communities statewide, including Pittsburgh suburbs, Scranton and Harrisburg areasAqua Pennsylvania
Philadelphia suburbs and other communities statewide
Choosing a supplier
Pennsylvania lets some customers choose who supplies their electricity and gas. The wires and pipes stay with the utility. Compare on the state's own page before signing anything a door-to-door seller offers: official shopping page.
Help with the bills
If deposits or bills are a stretch, Pennsylvania runs energy assistance: official assistance page. Ask the utility about deposit waivers too; many waive the deposit with a good payment letter from your old company.
Problems with a utility
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission regulates utilities in Pennsylvania and takes complaints.
New-resident deadlines in Pennsylvania
- Driver's license: within 60 days of moving. Official page
- Car registration and title: within 20 days of moving. Official page
- Inspection: Safety inspection within 10 days after registering. Emissions test in some counties. Official page
- Pennsylvania driver license office
- Register to vote in Pennsylvania
From the state's own websites, checked October 2026. Deadlines can change; check the official page before you rely on one.
Your first month in a new state
- USPS: change your address: Start mail forwarding up to 30 days early. The real site is usps.com.
- Your new state's motor vehicle office: Driver's license, registration and title. Most states set a short deadline after you move, so check yours first.
- Register to vote: Routes you to the official registration for the new state.
- Medicaid, if you have it: Medicaid doesn't move with you. You apply again in the new state.
- Health insurance: A permanent move can open a special enrollment period.
- Social Security: Change your address once here; Medicare gets it from Social Security.
Utility companies and service areas checked October 2026. Service areas follow addresses, not county lines exactly: confirm with the company before you book.