Press Release

PUC Approves Consumer-Education Plan for Pike County Light and Power

Published on 9/11/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Public Utility Commission (PUC) today gave final approval of a consumer-education plan related to electric price increase mitigation for Pike County Light & Power.

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 company’s plan. 

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 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.  Because Pike’s generation rate cap expired in 2006, the company is not required to educate its customers about rate cap removal.  Pike will focus on educating its customers about methods to mitigate electric price increases. 

On July 17, 2008, the Commission tentatively approved the plan, opening it up to a 30-day comment period.  Comments were filed by the state’s Office of Consumer Advocate and state’s Office of Small Business Advocate.

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.              M-2008-2032266

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