Press Release

PUC Schedules Two Public Input Hearings on Proposed Pike County Light & Power Distribution Rate Increase

Published on 10/27/2008

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two hearings to receive public comment on a distribution rate increase proposed by Pike County Light & Power Co. (PCLP).

Administrative Law Judges Louis G. Cocheres and Ember S. Jandebeur will conduct the hearings at:

2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008

Best Western Inn at Hunt’s Landing

NY Ballroom

120 Routes 6 & 209

Matamoras, PA  18336

On Sept. 11, 2008, the PUC voted to investigate PCLP’s request to increase its distribution rates by about $1.2 million (9.6 percent). Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 660 kWh would increase about $15.90 from $109.47 to $125.37 (14.5 percent).

The company also is proposing an alternative three-year rate phase-in plan for its electric operations, which, if adopted, would establish rates for the three-year period ending March 2012. Under the company’s three-year levelized rate proposal, the levelized annual distribution rate increase would amount to $614,400 per year. While the percentage and dollar impacts for the company’s three-year proposal currently are not available, the monthly bill impacts for customers would be lower under a three-year rate plan than a one-year rate plan.

The PUC has until April 16, 2009, to make a final decision. The increase would affect about 4,600 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Pike County. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s Web site.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents residential customers in rate cases, offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• Sign in to testify when you arrive.  The judge will call witnesses to speak from the order they have signed in.
• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

• Your testimony will not become part of the record in the proceeding unless you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is truthful.
• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

 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. R-2008-2046518

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722