Press Release

PUC to Hold Public Input Hearings in Penn Power, West Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed Rate Increase Requests

Published on 10/24/2014

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission today announced it will hold public input hearings on the proposed distribution rate increase requests for FirstEnergy Corp.’s Pennsylvania subsidiaries: Pennsylvania Power Co. (Penn Power), West Penn Power Co. (West Penn Power), Metropolitan Edison Co. (Met-Ed) and Pennsylvania Electric Co. (Penelec).

The PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will hold hearings at:

1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 4, 2014

Inn at Reading

1040 North Park Road

Reading, PA  19610

 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., Nov. 5, 2014

Warren County Courthouse

Jackson Room

204 4^th Ave.

Warren, PA  16365

 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 7, 2014

Union Township Municipal Building

1910 Municipal Drive

New Castle PA  16101

 1p.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 10, 2014

Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center

7794 Peach St.

Erie, PA 16509

On Oct. 2, 2014, the requests were suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement. A final decision must be made by May 3, 2015. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Penn Power

The company proposes to increase Penn Power’s distribution rates by $28.5 million (8.7 percent). Under the rate increase request for Penn Power, the monthly electric bill for an average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month would increase from $104.76 to $117.15 (11.8 percent). Penn Power serves about 335,000 customers in seven counties.

West Penn Power

The company proposes to increase West Penn Power’s distribution rates by $115.5 million (8.4 percent). Under the request for West Penn Power, the monthly electric bill for an average residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase from $92.47 to $106.09 (14.7 percent). West Penn Power serves about 1.48 million customers in 23 counties.

Penelec

The company proposed to increase Penelec’s distribution rates by $119.8 million (8.6 percent). Under the request for Penelec, the monthly electric bill for an average residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase from $120.46 to $140.04 (16.3 percent). Penelec serves about 1.2 million customers in 32 counties.

Met-Ed

The company proposed to increase Met-Ed’s distribution rates by $151.9 million (11.5 percent). Under the request for Met-Ed, the monthly electric bill for an average residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase from $116.56 to $137.34 (17.8 percent). Met-Ed serves about 1.25 million customers in 14 counties.

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 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 are attending an in-person hearing.  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; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

# # #

Docket Nos. R-2014-2428742; R-2014-2428743; R-2014-2428744; R-2014-2428745; M-2013-2341991; M-2013-2341994; M-2013-2341993; M-2013-2341990

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722