Pennsylvania’s PPL Charging Higher Distribution Rates in 2013

Starting January 1, both shopping and non-shopping customers in Pennsylvania’s PPL territory will begin seeing higher distribution charges on their electricity bills. Pennsylvania’s Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved the increase in charges, which resulted from higher than normal spending on damage caused from 2011 storms as well as other improvements, including poles, wires and substations that deliver power.

Changes in two charges will increase the average PPL customer’s monthly bill by about 3%. Distribution rates will actually go down, from 2.55 cents per kWh to 2.51 cents per kWh. The flat customer monthly fee, however, will increase by 62%, from $8.75 per month to $14.09 per month.

Since the charges are distribution-related, customers who are receiving their electric supply from a retail electric provider are still subject to the charge.

Non-shopping customers can compensate for the increase in charges by shopping around for the supply portion of their electric bill. The current Price-to-Compare (the electric supply rate) for the average PPL residential customer is 7.544 cents per kWh. When customers can find rates below the Price-to-Compare, they save.

To find an available retail electricity provider in your area, use our free Compare and Switch tool at the top of the page. Type your ZIP Code into the box, select your utility, and view a list of providers.

Read more about how to switch to a retail electricity provider.

PPL delivers electricity to roughly 1.4 million customers in 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania became deregulated in the late 1990s, and roughly 40% of customers in the service territory have switched to a retail electricity provider for their electric supply.