Sticker shock hits Pennsylvanians and no doubt coming to your state soon. Sit down when you are opening your utility bill when it arrives this month. On Dec. 1, energy costs rose from 6.5234 cents to 9.796 cents per kilowatt (kWh)—a surge of 50.2 percent for one utility. Electric distribution company PPL will increase its PTC for residential customers from 7.544 cents to 9.502 cents per kWh—an increase of 26 percent. The company with the third largest increase in fuel costs is Citizens’ Electric, which will raise prices from 6.9777 cents to 7.9476 cents per kWh, a 13.9 percent, beginning Wednesday.
Pennsylvania has the most anti-capitalism utility system imaginable if it is the same now as it was for my family back in the day. When my family had our business our rate was determined based on the peak moment in time of KWh usage. The higher the peak moment the higher the KWh rate was set for the year. Punished for using more than less. Even worse, our rate peak usage came at night not when industry usage hit its peak which was in the day. Of course their rate was far less for their peak KWh.
Just wait until we have all these electric cars “filling” up with the new “gold.”
I could go on but let me not digress:
“The upcoming price changes, combined with falling temperatures, make this an important time for consumers and businesses to evaluate their energy options and explore ways to save money and energy in the coming months,” PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille said in a statement.
“Most Pennsylvania regulated electric utilities are adjusting the price they charge for the generation portion of customers’ bills on December 1 for non-shopping customers, also known as the ‘Price to Compare’ (PTC). The PTC averages 40% to 60% of the customer’s total utility bill. However, this percent varies by the utility and by the level of individual customer usage,” PUC said in a press release.
Filed under: Electric
December 1st Price Adjustments for Electric Generation Vary Among Utilities; Will Be Reflected in Residential and Small Business Bills
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is alerting consumers and small businesses that most utilities will be adjusting their prices for electric generation on December 1st – with potentially large winter energy cost increases in some areas for non-shopping (default service) customers.
PUC lists power increases for residential customers. The most significant increase comes from Pike County Light & Power, which serves nearly 5,000 customers, is expected to raise power prices by 50%. The second highest is PPL Corporation, serving about 2.5 million customers in central and eastern parts of the state, which is expected to raise power prices by 26%.
- Citizens’ Electric, up from 6.9777 cents to 7.9476 cents per kWh (13.9%);
- Duquesne Light, up from 7.41 cents to 7.98 cents per kWh (7.7%);
- Met-Ed, up from 7.114 cents to 7.414 cents per kWh (4.2%);
- PECO, up from 6.597 cents to 7.021 cents per kWh (6.4%);
- Penelec, down from 6.761 cents to 6.507 cents per kWh (3.8%);
- Penn Power, down from 7.657 cents to 7.593 cents per kWh (less than 1%);
- PPL, up from 7.544 cents to 9.502 cents per kWh (26%);
- Pike County Light & Power, up from 6.5234 cents to 9.796 cents per kWh (50.2%);
- Wellsboro Electric, up from 7.2596 cents to 7.5051 cents per kWh (3.4%); and
- West Penn Power, up from 5.447 cents to 5.698 cents per kWh (4.6%);
A PUC spokesperson told Fox News that rising energy prices are due to “market forces.”
Jason Hayes, the director of environmental policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, recently blasted the Biden administration for its energy policies during an interview with Fox News.
Explaining he has trouble understanding why some Western leaders seem unable to grasp the importance of reliable, affordable energy and electricity for everyday citizens, Hayes said, “It seems like the only nations that understand that we require reliable, affordable dispatchable energy is China and Russia. And they’re the only ones that are producing energy and they’re more than happy to hold that energy hostage for the rest of the world.”
Biden canceled the Keystone XL pipeline, which would have moved Canadian oil into and across the United States, and paused oil and natural gas leases on federal lands, during his first hours in office. Several states sued to block that pause and courts have sided with the states thus far. Last week a report from Biden’s Interior Department called for raising the costs for developers to drill on federal lands by as much as 50%. Biden is also reportedly considering shutting down Michigan’s Line 5 pipeline, which supplies energy to the swing state’s Upper Peninsula.
For those unable to pay their bills don’t worry. There are plenty of energy assistance programs available and mandated by the state. Federal programs are available as well. Here are a few:
Customer Assistance Program (CAP)
This program is set up between the utility company and a low-income, payment troubled consumer to pay utility bills that are based on household size and gross household income. CAP customers agree to make regular monthly payments, which are usually less than the current bill, in exchange for continued utility service.
Besides regular monthly payments, customers need to follow certain rules to remain eligible for continued participation. CAP customers are able to choose a competitive electric supplier, but the discount they receive in CAP may be greater than the discounted rate offered by the supplier.
Call your electric utility for more information.
Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Program (CARES)
The Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Program (CARES) was designed to help customers with special needs find ways to pay their utility bills. Special needs include family emergencies, divorce, unemployment or medical emergencies.
Call your electric utility for more information.
Hardship Funds
Provides cash assistance to utility customers to help them pay their utility bills. Hardship funds provide assistance grants to customers who cannot qualify for other financial assistance programs, or to those that still have a critical need for assistance when there are no other resources. The funds make payments directly to companies on behalf of eligible customers.
Contact your electric utility for more information.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federal program that provides both cash and crisis benefits or financial assistance to low-income households for home energy bills. Cash benefits help low-income consumers pay for their home energy bills while crisis payments help meet emergency home energy needs.
For more information, contact the PA Department of Human Services at 1-866-857-7095.
Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP)
The Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) helps low-income, residential customers lower the amount of energy used each month.
Typically, the company may install energy saving features or make energy efficiency improvements in customers’ homes to help reduce bills.
Contact your electric utility for more information.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Pennsylvania’s Weatherization Assistance Program is administered through the Department of Community and Economic Development.
The best of the swamp.
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