Press Release

PUC Tentatively Approves Consumer Education Plans for FirstEnergy Companies, Duquesne Light Company and UGI

Published on 6/5/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Public Utility Commission (PUC) today tentatively approved consumer education plans related to electric rate cap removal and price increase mitigation for FirstEnergy Companies, Duquesne Light Company and UGI Utilities Inc. – Electric Division. 

Metropolitan Edison, Pennsylvania Electric, and Pennsylvania Power filed one plan collectively as the FirstEnergy Companies.  Each company plan is posted to the PUC’s Web site for review at the following link.

The Commission voted to tentatively approve the plans for Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, Pennsylvania Power Company and UGI Utilities, Inc. – Electric Division and allow the Orders to be issued for a 30-day period during which interested parties may file comments or request evidentiary hearings.  If no petitions or comments are filed on an Order in the 30-day period, it will become final.  If comments or petitions are filed, the Commission will consider each comment and issue a Final Order or refer the matter to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for hearings.

The Commission’s approval of a Motion by Vice Chairman James H. Cawley, will modify UGI’s plan to clarify that the company will not seek recovery of education costs associated with the company’s existing default service supply options or green supply options through the rider established to recover costs associated with the plans that were tentatively approved today.

The Commission is requiring further modifications to Duquesne Light Company’s plan and is requesting that the company file a supplement to address choice education issues in its filing within 30 days.  The public comment period for this plan will be extended to 45 days to allow at least 15 days for interested parties to file a petition or comment.

On May 10, 2007, the Commission approved a Final Order at Docket No. M-00061957 (entered on May 17, 2007) regarding policies to mitigate potential electricity price increases that follow the expiration of generation rate caps.  In that Order, the Commission directed all electric distribution companies (“EDCs”) to prepare and file a consumer education plan by December 31, 2007, for Commission review and approval.  The plans were required to include eight specific Energy Education Standards, and propose appropriate budget levels and a cost recovery mechanism.  The intention is to prepare Pennsylvanians for removal of electric rate caps and to make informed decisions regarding their own levels of electric use.

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.

                                                                        ###

Docket Nos.  M-2008-2032261; M-2008-2032262; M-2008-2032263; M-2008-2032267;                                       M-2008-2032278

Contact:

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