Press Release

PUC to Appeal Commonwealth Court Ruling Means Consumer Bills Will Not Increase

Published on 8/31/2006

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – Bills for PPL electric consumers will not increase as the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) will file an appeal Friday to a Commonwealth Court's Aug. 4 decision, which then prevents decision ruling and related rate increase from going into effect.

“We are aggressively pursuing an appeal to a court decision that could ultimately affect all Pennsylvania ratepayers,” said Commission Chairman Wendell F. Holland. “We carefully balanced the competing interests in the rate case and tried to provide stability for all customers. The Commonwealth Court’s action could significantly increase rates for residential consumers.”

The Commission’s decision to appeal stays the Commonwealth Court decision, protecting residential consumers from rate changes while the case is pending. The PUC asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to reverse the Aug. 4 Commonwealth Court decision that among other things overturned revenue allocations approved by the PUC in the 2004 PPL rate case. The Commonwealth Court’s action has the potential to impact future rate cases that come before the Commission.

If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, the Commonwealth Court ruling will become effective. The PUC would then be forced to re-examine how to allocate the rate increase among various classes of PPL customers. It's unclear when that will happen or how much bills may change after it does.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as stewards of competition. For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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