Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Distribution Rate than Requested by Wellsboro Electric, Tioga County

Published on 12/20/2007

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a settlement for a lower distribution rate than requested by Wellsboro Electric in Tioga County.

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the settlement, increasing the company’s distribution rates by about $690,000 (7.6 percent) a year for service rendered on or after Jan. 1, 2008.  Vice Chairman James H. Cawley issued a statement. The company’s original request was to increase rates by about $900,537 (9.4 percent). Under the settlement, the company cannot file for another distribution rate increase before Jan. 1, 2009.

The settlement was reached between the company and formal complainants such as the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, the state’s Office of Small Business Advocate, the PUC’s Office of Trial Staff, and consumers who had filed formally before the Commission.                          

The settlement addresses mainly the distribution portion of a customer’s bill. Under the settlement, the average residential customer using about 700 kWh a month would see their bill increase by about $5 from $62 to $67. The original proposal would have increased the average bill to about $69 a month.

The increase affects about 4,847 residential customers and about 1,084 commercial and industrial customers in the Borough of Wellsboro and Charleston, Delmar and Middlebury townships. According to the company, the increase is needed to increase the rate of return in order to support the continuation of Wellsboro’s efforts to improve its 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, 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. R-00072350

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