Press Release

PUC Approves Consumer Education Plans for West Penn Power, Citizens’ Electric, Wellsboro Electric, and PPL Electric Companies

Published on 7/17/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Public Utility Commission (PUC) today gave final approval of consumer-education plans related to electric rate cap removal and price increase mitigation for West Penn Power Company, Citizens’ Electric Company, Wellsboro Electric Company, and PPL Electric Utilities Corporation.

Each plan is posted to the PUC’s Web site for review at the following link.

The Commission voted 4-0 to grant final approval of the four companies’ plans. 

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 Dec. 31, 2007, for Commission review and approval.  The plans were required to include eight specific Energy Education Standards and propose appropriate budget levels and 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.  On May 1, 2008, the Commission tentatively approved the four plans and opened them up to a 30-day public comment period.  Comments were filed on all four plans by the PUC’s Consumer Advisory Council, Office of Consumer Advocate, Office of Small Business Advocate and the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.  Additionally, the PPL Industrial Customer Alliance filed comments on PPL’s plan and PPL filed reply comments. 

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 Nos. M-2008-2032275; M-2008-2032276; M-2008-20322777; M-2008-2032279

Contact:

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