Press Release

PUC Investigates Distribution Rate Increase Request for PPL Customers

Published on 5/30/2007

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate PPL’s request to increase its distribution rates by about $83.6 million.

The Commission voted unanimously to investigate the request, which represents about a 13 percent increase in distribution rates for consumers and an average total bill increase of about 2 percent. Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average customer using 1,000 kwh would increase about $6 from $97 to $103.

By operation of law, the proposed increase will be suspended for up to seven months from its proposed effective date. The Commission voted to open an investigation and assign it to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement. PUC Commissioners will then make a final decision by Jan. 1, 2008, at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

The increase would affect about 1.2 million residential customers and about 174,700 commercial, industrial and municipal customers in Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh and Luzerne counties.

According to the company, the increase is needed to increase rates to provide the minimum funds necessary to attract capital on reasonable terms; provide safe and reliable service to its customers; and to fully fund various innovative programs including a meter data management system, five new energy efficiency and energy conservation programs and additional consumer education regarding the wise use of energy.

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, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. R-00072155

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