Press Release

PUC Investigates Proposed Distribution Rate Increases for PECO Energy Electric and Natural Gas Companies

Published on 5/20/2010

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate PECO Energy Co.’s requests to increase its distribution rates for its electric and natural gas customers.

The Commission voted 4-0 to investigate the requests.  The company requested to increase its electric distribution rates by about $316.4 million (7 percent). Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 500 kWh would increase about $7.27 from $81.53 to $89.80 (10.1 percent).

PECO provides electricity to approximately 1.6 million customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties.

In another matter the Commission voted 4-0 to investigate the proposed distribution rate increase of PECO’s natural gas division. The company requested to increase its natural gas distribution rate by $43.8 million (5.28 percent).  Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 8.0 Mcf of gas per month would increase from $105.43 to $113.49 (7.6 percent). 

PECO provides natural gas service to approximately 480,000 customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. 

By operation of law, the proposed increases will be suspended for up to seven months from their proposed effective date. The Commission voted to open an investigation and assign it to the PUC Office of Administrative Law Judge for a recommended decision or settlement.  A final decision on both cases must be made by Dec. 30, 2010. 

More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s Web site.

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.

Docket Numbers R-2010-2161575 and R-2010-2161592

Contact:

• Press Secretary
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