PUC Schedules Public Input Hearings for Peco Rate Changes

On May 20, 2010, the PUC voted to investigate PECO’s requests to increase its electric and natural gas distribution rates.

The company has requested to increase its electric rates by about $316.4 million (7 percent). Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 500 kWh would increase about $8.27 from $81.53 to $89.80 (10.1 percent). PECO provides electricity to approximately 1.6 million customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and York counties.

The company has requested to increase its natural gas rates by $43.8 million (5.28 percent). Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 8.0 Mcf of gas per month would increase from $105.43 to $113.49 (7.6 percent). PECO provides natural gas service to approximately 480,000 customers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

The request was suspended for up to seven months and assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision or settlement. A final decision must be made by Dec. 30, 2010. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate. They include:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand. Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.
• Bring copies. If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.
• Plan to be questioned. Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.
• The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

PECO Energy Co.Administrative Law Judges (ALJ) Marlane Chestnut and Christopher Pell will conduct the hearings at:

10 a.m. June 28, 2010 (electric only) -Free Library of Philadelphia

6 p.m. June 28, 2010 (electric only) -Community Academy of Philadelphia

6 p.m. June 29, 2010 (electric & gas) -Township of Worcester Community Hall