Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Requests for Citizens’ Electric Company of Lewisburg, PA and Wellsboro Electric Company, Tioga County

Published on 10/6/2016

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate distribution rate increases for Citizens’ Electric Company of Lewisburg, PA (Citizens’) and Wellsboro Electric Company (Wellsboro).

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the requests, which were filed on Aug. 31, 2016.  The Commission investigation will determine what, if any, of the requested increases are justified.

Citizens’ requested an annual increase in rates of $592,000, or 12.8 percent over current distribution rates.  Under the request, the monthly electric bill for an average residential customer using 1,200 kilowatt-hours per month would increase from $124.04 to $132.16 (6.6 percent). 

Citizens’ provides electric distribution service to approximately 5,752 residential customers and approximately 1,127 commercial, industrial and lighting customers in Lewisburg Borough, Buffalo, East Buffalo and Kelly Townships (Union County), as well as West Chillisquaque Township (Northumberland County).

Wellsboro requested an annual increase in rates of $1 million, or 21.3 percent over current distribution rates.  Under the request, the monthly electric bill for an average residential customer using 700 kilowatt-hours per month would increase from $87.24 to $97.49 (11.8 percent).

Wellsboro provides electric distribution service to approximately 5,800 residential customers and approximately 1,185 commercial and industrial customers in the Borough of Wellsboro (Tioga County).

The requests are suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and recommended decisions or settlements.  Final decision must be made by May 30, 2017.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

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” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

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Docket Nos.: R-2016-2531550

                     R-2016-2531551

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov