The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced that electricity price changes will be in effect across Pennsylvania starting Monday, June 1.
The typical household’s monthly electricity bill will increase around $5 due to a roughly 5% hike in the portion of the bill that covers electricity supply, according to a May 20 alert.
From the alert:
Summer electric bills are influenced by two major factors: the market price of electricity and the amount of electricity used during periods of hot weather. While June 1 generation price adjustments may increase supply costs for many customers, extended heat waves and heavier air-conditioning use can have an even larger impact on total monthly bills.
The PUC encourages consumers to prepare now by reviewing their energy usage, exploring conservation opportunities, and to #CallUtilitiesNow to discuss tools like budget billing, payment arrangements, and other available assistance programs if they are concerned about summer bills.
in a May 21 news release, PECO said the electric Price to Compare (PTC) will rise to 11.76 cents per kWh due to higher energy and capacity prices.
“For a typical residential customer using 700 kWh per month, this equates to an increase of about $4.94 per month, or 3.1%. The natural gas PTC will increase to $0.68614 per Ccf, resulting in an average monthly increase of about $0.67, or 0.52%, for customers using 80 Ccf,” the release said.
“Energy markets are sending a clear signal that additional reliable, affordable generation is needed. Ensuring energy security for the future will require coordinated action across the industry to bring new supply online and keep pace with rising demand,” said Doug Oliver, senior vice president of Governmental, Regulatory and External Affairs, PECO. “We know customers depend on us every day, and we recognize the responsibility we have to deliver reliable energy, while working to maintain affordability. However, we cannot solve this challenge alone. Generators, policymakers, and industry leaders must act with urgency to address the supply shortfall and ensure customers have access to reliable, affordable energy in the years ahead.”
In April, PECO announced the withdrawing of a proposed rate hike that would have increased customers’ utility bills by about $34 per month.
According to a WHYY analysis, PECO bills have been rising faster than inflation the past five years, but when adjusted for inflation, those bills are similar to what customers paid a decade ago.
In related news, NBC10 reported on Saturday that IBEW Local Union 614 (PECO’s union) voted to authorize a strike as contract negotiations with the utility company continue.
“Tonight, after nine weeks of no contract, our members are voting to authorize a strike,” the union said in a social media post. “The authorization vote does not guarantee a strike will happen; It’s the first step toward an unprecedented work stoppage. A work stoppage could have serious consequences — Nobody wants that and we are doing our best to avoid that, but we need PECO management to meet us with the same urgency.”
PECO’s union employees have been working without a contract since March 31 when its previous contract with PECO expired.
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