Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings in PPL Distribution Rate Increase Request.

Published on 6/8/2007

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG– The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled five hearings to receive public comment on the proposed distribution rate increase by PPL.

Administrative Law Judge Susan Colwell will conduct the hearings at:

2 p.m. June 22, 2007

Bethlehem Town Hall

10 E. Church St.

Bethlehem, PA  18018

7 p.m. June 22, 2007

AllentownCity Hall

City Council Chambers

435 Hamilton St.

Allentown, PA  18101

7 p.m. June 27, 2007

PUC – Commonwealth Keystone Building

400 North St., Hearing Room 2

Harrisburg, PA  17101

2 p.m. June 28, 2007

ScrantonState Office Building

100 Lackawanna Ave.

Room 317

Scranton, PA  18503

7 p.m. June 28, 2007

KingsCollege

McGowan School of Business – Burke Auditorium

Corner of North River and West Union streets

Wilkes-Barre, PA  18711

On March 29, 2007, PPL filed a request for an $83.6 million (13 percent) increase in distribution rates for consumers and an average total bill increase of about   6 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.

The public input hearings are a part of a Commission investigation into the proposal. The Commission has until Jan. 1, 2008, to make a final decision 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 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.

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

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Docket No. R-00072155

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722