Electric bills will increase with Penelec rate hike

The sun sets behind a series of electric transmission towers in this undated photo. — Courtesy photo, Metro

By Walt Frank

Customers who use Penelec as their power generation supplier will be paying more for their electricity beginning in December.

Penelec’s residential price-to-compare is increasing 6.76% over the current rate, effective Monday, Dec. 1. For an average residential customer using 750 kWh per month, this would be a $5.58 increase on their monthly bill. The current PTC is 11 cents/kWh — as of Dec. 1, it will be 11.75 cents/kWh, said Lauren Siburkis, spokeswoman for FirstEnergy Corp., Penelec’s parent company.

“While we can offer an idea of how supply increases will impact customer bills based on typical usage, the exact amount you might pay depends on several factors, including current and future usage, whether you’ve chosen a competitive supplier and if you have enrolled in any assistance or budget programs,” Siburkis said.

The price to compare for FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania utilities, including Penelec, changes twice each year. The last change in the price to compare for non-shopping Penelec customers was June 1.

“Your electric bill is made up of two main charges: the supply charge for the cost of the actual electricity you use and a charge from your electric company for delivering electricity to your home. For the supply charge, you can shop and choose a third-party energy supplier who may be able to offer the best price for electricity. If you do not select an alternate supplier, your electric company is required to purchase electricity for you and provide it to you at the same cost we’ve paid for it,” Siburkis said.

Customers who do not shop for electricity receive the “default service” from their electric company for their electric supply and pay the price-to-compare rate.

“These charges are located in the top right section of a customer’s bill under ‘Account Summary.’ FirstEnergy Pennsylvania does not generate electricity or control supply prices. We simply deliver electricity to homes and businesses and collect any supply costs on behalf of suppliers without a markup,” Siburkis said. 

For the Altoona area, there are 41 providers in addition to Penelec.

PAPowerSwitch.com shows those range from American Power & Gas of Pennsylvania LLC at 9.49 cents per kwh (variable rate for one month, fixed rate for six months) to IGS Energy at 17.39 cents per kwh (fixed rate for 36 months).

In Clearfield County, PAPowerSwitch.com shows rates range from 11.19 cents per kwh (with an intro rate for three months then 13.09 cents per kwh for 12 months) to 15.59 cents per kwh (fixed rate for six months) through Clearview Energy.

Visit PAPowerSwitch.com for additional rates.