Press Release

2011 Farm Show Visitors Invited to ‘Shop. Switch. Save.’ with PAPowerSwitch.com

Published on 1/7/2011

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG – With electric rate caps expired for all Pennsylvania residents, visitors to the 95^th Pennsylvania Farm Show can “Shop. Switch. Save.” with PAPowerSwitch.com.

“Residents already have the power. With www.PAPowerSwitch.com, they have the information to Shop. Switch. Save,” said PUC Chairman James H. Cawley. “With thousands of people visiting the Farm Show each year, it provides the perfect opportunity to educate consumers about the benefits of shopping and how this website makes the process as easy as possible.”

The PAPowerSwitch booth can be found in the Main Hall, just two rows from the main Maclay Street entrance (map). It will feature a bank of computers at the Farm Show where consumer education specialists will walk consumers through the website and their choices.

With www.PAPowerSwitch.com, consumers have the tools at their fingertips to make an informed decision. Consumers can then take their experience home and make final decisions on switching electric suppliers.

Most Pennsylvania residents have the right to choose their electric supplier, but your ability to switch depends on where you live. The power to switch electric suppliers gives you greater control over your electric bill. Www.PAPowerSwitch.com is the source for answers on shopping for the generation portion of your bill.

Putting the power in consumers’ hands to choose their electric generation supplier began with the 1997 Electricity Generation Choice and Competition Act. Generation supply costs comprise the majority of the average electric bill. Consumers are encouraged to proactively engage competitive suppliers for their generation. Under the law, electric rates were capped to ease the transition to competitive markets. All rate caps expired Dec. 31, 2010.

Many other critical utility issues are facing customers. To address these needs, the PUC also will staff a booth (map) in the “Commonwealth Commons” area of the Farm Show – your one stop shop also near the Maclay Street entrance for connecting with the commonwealth agencies exhibiting at the 2011 Pennsylvania Farm Show. This informational booth is designed to educate consumers on how to conserve energy and save money this winter.  It focuses on a variety of information about electric rate caps, alternative energy, natural gas safety and broadband access, among other utility-related topics.

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.

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Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722