Save the 814 Area Code

Background: The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Thursday approved a plan to divide the 814 area code along geographic boundaries. The area code currently stretches from Erie southeast to the Pennsylvania-Maryland state line. Erie, Crawford, Warren, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, McKean and portions of Clearfield, Armstrong, Mercer and Indiana counties will receive a new area code by Feb. 1, 2012. The rest of the region will keep the 814 area code.

Summary: We the undersigned humbly and respectfully suggest that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reconsider their decision to strip thousands of NW Pennsylvanians of their area code, and instead implement an overlay plan. This plan would overlay a second area code on top of the 814 area code, an option that has been done elsewhere in Pennsylvania. We believe a geographic split will cause businesses in northwestern Pennsylvania to incur additional expenses. Some users may have to upgrade or even replace their phone systems.

Northwest Pennsylvanians want to keep their 814 area code!