HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a settlement with Windstream Pennsylvania that includes a $15,000 civil penalty and an agreement to change its billing practice.

The Commission voted 5-0 to issue the settlement for comment, which stemmed from a May 2011 informal investigation by the PUC's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) into Windstream's practice of "no proration" billing.At that time, Windstream did not pro-rate charges for fractional periods and instead billed customers for an entire cycle when those customers discontinued or changed service. I&E staff alleged that the practice violates the state's Public Utility Code, PUC regulations, Federal Communication Commission regulations and Windstream's tariff.According to the proposed settlement, the company will pay a $15,000 civil penalty and discontinue full-month billing and implement billing proration in Pennsylvania. Under the settlement, Windstream does not admit any wrongdoing.Interested parties have 20 days to comment.Further direction on how to file comments can be found in the Commission Order.