Press Release

PUC Schedules Five Public Input Hearings in PPL Distribution Rate Increase Request

Published on 6/1/2010

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled five hearings to receive public comment on the proposed distribution rate increase by PPL Electric Utilities Inc.

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Susan D. Colwell will conduct the hearings at:

2 p.m. June 14, 2010

Room B3 Scranton State Office Building

(Take elevator to basement and room is straight ahead)

100 Lackawanna Avenue

Scranton, PA  18503

6 p.m. June 14, 2010

Quality Inn

880 Kidder Street

Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

2 p.m. June 21, 2010

Room 130 ABCD

Gates Center, Alumni Hall

Northampton College

3825 Green Pond Road

Bethlehem, PA  18020

6 p.m. June 21, 2010

Allentown City Hall

435 Hamilton Street

Allentown, PA  18101

6 p.m. June 23, 2010

Hearing Room, 2^nd Floor

Commonwealth Keystone Building

400 North Street

Harrisburg, PA  17120

On May 20, 2010, the PUC voted to investigate PPL’s request to increase its electric distribution rates by about $114 million (2.4 percent). Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 1,000 kWh would increase about $7.41 (5.4 percent) from $137.34 to $144.75 per month.

The request was suspended for up to seven months and assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement. A final decision must be made by Dec. 31, 2010. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.     

PPL provides electricity to about 1.4 million customers in 29 counties in central and eastern Pennsylvania.

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 offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• 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.

• 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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Docket no. R-2010-2161694

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722