Utility Bills to Rise for Met-Ed, PPL Customers on Dec 1

Residents in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas should prepare for increased utility bills starting Monday (December 1). The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has announced that Met-Ed and PPL customers will see higher electricity costs this winter.

Met-Ed's "Price to Compare" for residential customers will increase by nearly nine percent, rising from 11.905 cents to 12.965 cents per kilowatt-hour. Meanwhile, PPL customers will experience a smaller increase of about 3.7 percent, with rates going from 12.49 cents to 12.953 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to LOCAL 21. These generation charges, which account for the actual cost of electricity, typically make up 40 to 60 percent of a household's bill. The combination of these increases with winter heating demands could significantly impact household budgets.

BREAKDOWN

• Duquesne Light: 12.43 → 13.75 ¢/kWh (+10.6%)
• Pike County Light & Power (estimated): 10.1923→ 11.21 ¢/kWh (+9.9%)
• Met-Ed: 11.905 → 12.965 ¢/kWh (+8.9%)
• Penelec: 11.004 → 11.747 ¢/kWh (+6.75%)
• Penn Power: 11.858 → 12.606 ¢/kWh (+6.31%)
• West Penn Power: 10.318 → 10.947 ¢/kWh (+6.1%)
• PECO: 10.4 → 11.024 ¢/kWh (+6%)
• PPL: 12.49 → 12.953 ¢/kWh (+3.7%)

Price Decreases (Effective Dec. 1)

• Wellsboro Electric: 12.809 → 12.04 ¢/kWh (–6%)
• UGI Electric: 11.471 → 11.213 ¢/kWh (–2.25%)

Pending Dec. 1 Prices

• Citizens’ Electric: 11.419→ Pending ¢/kWh

The PUC also notes that most Electric Distribution Companies (EDC) are also adjusting their Prices to Compare (PTC) on Dec. 1. In their small commercial rate classes.

• Duquesne Light small business customers will see a PTC increase of more than 12%.
• PTC increases in the FirstEnergy service territories (Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power) range between 6.5% and 13.8%.
• Small business customers in UGI’s service territory will see a PTC drop of approximately 2.24%.

The PUC advises customers who cannot resolve issues through their utility to call PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services for help.

The PUC is urging customers concerned about rising costs to contact their utility providers to discuss available assistance programs. Options include Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs), budget billing, and hardship funds. Consumers can also explore competitive suppliers at PAPowerSwitch.com. For additional support, the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services is available at 1-800-692-7380.