Press Release

PUC Approves Consumer-Education Plans for Duquesne Light Co. and FirstEnergy Companies

Published on 8/21/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Public Utility Commission (PUC) today gave final approval to consumer-education plans for Duquesne Light Co. and the FirstEnergy Companies of Met-Ed, Penelec and Penn Power, related to rising electric prices and resources to help consumers, such as energy conservation, low-income programs and choice.

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

The Commission voted 5-0 to grant final approval of the companies’ plans. 

A May 17, 2007, Commission Order at Docket No. M-00061957 established 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 electric price increase mitigation and to educate consumers on energy conservation.

On June 5, 2008, the Commission tentatively approved the plans, opening up the FirstEnergy plan to a 30-day comment period.  The Commission extended the comment period for Duquesne to 45 days and required the company to file a supplement addressing choice education.  Comments were filed on both plans by the PUC’s Consumer Advisory Council, the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate, the state’s Office of Small Business Advocate and the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.  Duquesne and FirstEnergy both 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-2008-2032261; M-2008-2032262; M-2008-2032263; M-2008-2032278

Contact:

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