Press Release

PUC Kicks Off ‘Prepare Now’ Campaign with Special Hearing on Energy Prices, Releases Winter Heating Report

Published on 9/11/2008

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today kicked off the Commission’s annual “Prepare Now” campaign with a special en banc hearing focused on increasing consumer awareness on rising energy prices; exploring ways to reduce energy usage; educating consumers about the availability of low-income programs; increasing awareness for safe home heating; and discussing potential policies and strategies for the campaign.  

The PUC also released a comparison of monthly bills for Pennsylvania electric and natural gas customers from last winter and the estimated bills for this winter for each electric and natural gas company. 

The five PUC Commissioners conducted the en banc hearing to solicit comments from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the PA Home Energy Program, the Keystone Help Loan Program, the PUC Consumer Advisory Council, the Energy Coordinating Agency, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, the Dollar Energy Fund, the Department of Public Welfare, and the Department of Community & Economic Development.  Comments provided in writing are available on the PUC’s Web site here. 

The winter heating report released today, which is broken down by company, shows that the average natural gas customer using 15 Mcf of natural gas will see their monthly bill increase by $38.12 (17.69 percent) from $218.69 in winter 2007 to $256.80 in winter 2008.  The average electric customer using 2,000 kwh of electricity will see their monthly bill increase by $17.65 (7.83 percent) from $208.49 in winter 2007 to $226.14 in winter 2008.

Some prices consumers actually pay will be higher and others lower – depending on usage, and changes in market prices relative to these estimated prices.  Charts of the electric and natural gas bills are available on the Commission's Web site.

This marks the sixth winter in which the Commission is urging consumers to “Prepare Now.”  The message is simple: “Prepare Now” for higher energy costs this winter.  Learn about changes in the law related to utility shut-offs and know your rights.  Save money by learning how to conserve energy.  Heat your home safely.  Explore budget billing options. Look into programs that help low-income customers restore and maintain service. Visit www.puc.state.pa.us, and click on “Prepare Now” or call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380.

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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