Press Release

PUC Votes to Investigate the Rate Increase Request from Citizens’ Electric Company in Union and Northumberland Counties

Published on 6/21/2007

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate Citizens’ Electric Company’s request to increase its distribution rates by about $898,363.

The Commission voted unanimously to investigate the request, which represents about a 7.4 percent increase in distribution rates for consumers and an average total bill increase of about 6.3 percent. Under the company’s proposal, the  annual bill for an average customer using 14,400 kWh would increase about $64 from $1,012 to $1,076.

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 Feb. 29, 2008, at a public meeting in Harrisburg.

The increase would affect about 5,423 residential customers and about 1,080 commercial and industrial customers in the Lewisburg Borough, Buffalo, East Buffalo and Kelly Townships in Union County; and West Chillisquaque Township in Northumberland County.

According to the company, the increase in distribution rates is needed to provide necessary funding for the operation, maintenance and improvement of the distribution system

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. R-00072348

Contact:

• Cyndi Page
  Sr. Communications Specialist
  717-214-5434
  cypage@pa.gov