Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings for Pike County Light & Power Proposed Default Service Plan

Published on 3/14/2007

Filed under: Electric

  HARRISBURG– The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two public input hearings to receive public comment on the proposed default service plan for Pike County Light & Power (PCLP).

      Administrative Law Judge Louis G. Cocheres will conduct the hearings at:

            1:30 and 7 p.m. March 29, 2007

            Best Western at Hunt’s Landing

                  120 Routes 6 and 209

           Matamoras, PA  18336

     On Jan. 8, 2007, PCLP filed a petition with the PUC for consideration of a default service implementation plan. The proposed plan would cover default service provided from Jan. 1, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2010. The company’s current default service prices expire Dec. 31, 2007.

     The 1996 electric competition law requires electric companies, or a Commission approved alternative supplier, to provide default electric generation service to customers who have not selected an alternative generation supplier. This is commonly called default service or provider of last resort service (POLR). The default service prices for electric generation service are required to reflect “prevailing market prices,” according to the law.

     Under the plan, the company proposals include acquiring financial hedges through web-based, declining price auction instead of physical purchases to fix the price of energy and capacity needed to meet the demand. According to the company, the three-year term is designed to provide price stability for customers.  

     Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will base its decision in the case.  The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents residential customers in rate cases, offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

Come early.  Try to arrive at least 10 to 15 minutes before the hearing.

• Sign in to testify when you arrive.  The judge will call witnesses to speak from the order they have signed in.
• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it’s not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies.  If you have a written statement or have other papers you want to give the judge as evidence, please bring copies with you.  Bring an original, two copies for the court reporter and several copies for active participants in the case.
• Your testimony will not become part of the record in the case unless you affirm that the testimony you are about to give is truthful.
• Plan to be questioned.  Sometimes, parties in the case may want to ask you a question about something you said.  Listen to the whole question.  Answer as best you can.  It’s OK if you don’t know the answer.

      The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No.; P-00072245

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722