Press Release

PUC to Investigate Proposed Rate Increases by Wellsboro Electric, Valley Energy, and Citizens Electric Company of Lewisburg

Published on 5/22/2025

Filed under: Electric Gas

PUC Suspends Utility Proposals to Increase Electric and Natural Gas Distribution Rates, Launching Formal Review

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today suspended proposed rate increases filed by three affiliated utilities serving residents and businesses in north-central Pennsylvania: Wellsboro Electric Company (Wellsboro Electric), Valley Energy Inc. (Valley Energy) and Citizens’ Electric Company of Lewisburg (Citizens’ Electric). Collectively, these utilities serve several thousand electric and natural gas customers in parts of Bradford, Northumberland, Tioga, and Union counties.

The Commission voted 5-0 to suspend and investigate the three proposals, which will now be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for evidentiary hearings and the issuance of recommended decisions.  Because the three utilities are affiliated, they have requested consolidation of the cases and/or joint hearings. A final PUC decision on the proposed rate increases is due by Jan. 29, 2026.

As part of the investigation, the Commission will also begin scheduling public input hearings to gather testimony from concerned consumers and interested stakeholders. Dates, times, and locations for those hearings will be detailed in future PUC press releases. Consumers interested in sharing their perspectives are encouraged to follow Commission announcements for upcoming opportunities to participate.

More information about the PUC ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Wellsboro Electric Proposed Rate Changes

Wellsboro Electric proposes an increase in annual revenues of $2.9 million (22%).  As proposed, the total monthly bill for a residential customer using 700 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month would increase from $142.75 to $168.97 (18.4%).  The company also proposes an increase in the residential customer charge from $12 to $16.50 (37.5%).

Wellsboro Electric serves approximately 6,500 electric customers in the Borough of Wellsboro and in the townships of Charleston, Delmar and Middlebury in Tioga County.

Valley Energy Proposed Rate Changes

Valley Energy proposes an increase in annual revenues of $1.6 million (19%). As proposed, the total monthly bill for a residential customer using 76 Ccf per month would increase from $66.81 to $78.84 (18%).  The company also proposes an increase in the residential customer charge from $12.35 to $14.00 (13.4%).

Valley Energy serves more than 7,400 natural gas customers in Bradford County, including in the boroughs of Athens, Monroe, Sayre, South Waverly and Towanda as well as the townships of Asylum, Athens, Monroe, North Towanda, Towanda, Ulster and Wysox.

Citizens’ Electric Proposed Rate Changes

Citizens’ Electric proposes an increase in annual revenues of $1.79 million (11%). As proposed, the total monthly bill for a residential customer using 1,250 kWh per month would increase from $163.89 to $181.51 (11%).  The company also proposes an increase in the residential customer charge from $13.10 to $16.50 (26%).

Citizens’ Electric serves nearly 7,200 electric customers in the Borough of Lewisburg and surrounding communities in Union and Northumberland counties.

About the PUC

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket Nos.:
R-2025-3054392 – Wellsboro Electric
R-2025-3054393 – Valley Energy
R-2025-3054394 – Citizens’ Electric

Contact:

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