Press Release

PUC Approves Plan to Allow Citizens’ Electric Co. and Wellsboro Electric Co. to Begin Meeting Alternative Energy Requirements

Published on 5/1/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a plan that will allow Citizens’ Electric Co. and Wellsboro Electric Co. to begin fulfilling the requirements of the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act of 2004 (AEPS).

The Commission voted 4-0 to allow the company to acquire alternative energy credits through a stratified procurement process in order to begin to meet its AEPS requirements.  Alternative energy credits were created as a tool to measure compliance with the AEPS Act.  The credits are an objective measure to determine if the electric distribution companies are providing the required percentage of energy from alternative sources as required by the Act.

Citizens’ and Wellsboro’s compliance period for AEPS began January 1, 2008.  AEPS generally requires that a certain percentage of all electric energy sold to retail customers be derived from alternative energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass and demand side management resources.  The law applies to both electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers who must demonstrate their compliance on an annual basis.  The level of alternative energy required generally increases according to a 15-year schedule.

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-00072306; P-00072307

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov