Press Release

PITTSBURGH -- Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Glen R. Thomas today joined Gov. Mark Schweiker and officials of Duquesne Light to mark a milestone for Pennsylvania Electric Choice: The first Pennsylvania customers will see the Competitive Transition Charge eliminated from their bill. Duquesne Light customers this week are seeing their rates drop between 16 percent and 20 percent.

"The electric-competition law that went into effect just over five years ago allowed utilities to pass on the cost of power plants to consumers," Chairman Thomas said. "Duquesne Light becomes the first Pennsylvania utility to eliminate the Competitive Transition Charge billed to customers to pay off these ‘stranded costs.’ As a result, 580,000 customers will see their bills go down well below the rates they paid before competition. In fact, these customers now will pay the lowest rates they’ve paid in more than 20 years.

"This is a historic day for the families and businesses of Pittsburgh, and it’s yet another milestone for Pennsylvania Electric Choice."

Chairman Thomas joined Gov. Schweiker and Duquesne Light and DQE Inc. officials for the announcement at the Carnegie Science Center’s Works Theater, where students learn about electricity through the "High Voltage!" program. DQE Inc. is the parent company of Duquesne Light.

Marking its fifth anniversary in 2002, Pennsylvania’s Electric Choice program stands as the national model for competition done right. Customers have saved more than $4 billion in electricity costs. More than 40,000 jobs are expected to be created by Electric Choice by 2005. More than 1 million Pennsylvanians cumulatively have shopped for power, and more than 550,000 people are currently shopping. Nearly 120,000 Pennsylvanians now use green power -- more than any other state. Pennsylvania is the East Coast leader for wind power.

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 responsible stewards of competition.