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Thursday, September 2, 2010
State senator accuses PUC of hiding PPL price increases
Times Leader Staff
A state senator has accused the state Public Utility Commission of attempting to hide price increases some PPL Electric Utilities customers will experience, but the PUC calls it an oversight and PPL says the numbers have long been public.
Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northumberland, filed a class-action complaint with the PUC on Monday against itself, alleging that “anonymous sources” there have told her the “expected rate increase when caps expire (on Jan. 1) will be much higher than the company wants to admit” and the PUC attempted to hide that in a recent price update. It’s unknown yet if the commissioners will have to recuse themselves.
The PUC’s price update includes PPL’s estimate of residential rates increasing 30.4 percent, but omits increases that small- and mid-sized businesses can expect. A PUC response to Boscola reports them as 18.9 percent and 36.8 percent, respectively. “We tend to gear our press releases … to the residential consumers and are working to increase our outreach efforts to the other customer classes,” explained PUC spokesperson Jenn Kocher.
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5 COMMENTS
Helen said...
thank heavens one person is awake ,once again the public is getting the shaft
Philip G. Pizano said...
I still don't get it. I thought the purpose of building a nuclear power plant was to make electricity more efficient and costs would come down yet we are selling the electricity all over the place. Luzerne County is not on the list we still receive our electricity from the old plant I'm told not sure at any rate now the windmills for a cheaper way of producing electricity has evolved with Pennsylvanians paying still more money. I hear tell in Masachusetts anyone living in a 35 mile radius of the power plant gets a discount on their electricity while Pennsylvania is selling to Maryland, Florida who knows who else. Some one explain please I didn't think so.
just my opinion said...
We opted to pay the 28.80 extra every month and now find out it may not be enough. That's just great. We'll get shafted in January anyway. Guess I shouldn't be surprised.
JoAnn said...
PPL and other generators sell to other states because it only makes sense to sell a product at a profit. That is a goal of a business. If you want to put utilities out of business, then learn to live by candlelight. Am I the only UGI customer?? I have been paying the higher rates since UGI's rate caps expired. Why do I have to pay the higher prices and PPL customers feel they somehow deserve to pay something less? If they prevent PPL and other Co's rate caps from expiring I want the rate differential I have been paying to UGI refunded. It is sad that PA decided to try to price fix in the 90's - it is hurting the average consumer today. A free market is just that - free from government intervention. Turn off a light and save not only a buck, but your environment too!
RWilliams said...
Just because someone noticed does not mean they will do anything about it. After all, where do you think they get their campaign money from?