HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) scheduled a hearing to receive public comment on a proposed time-of-use rate (TOU) by PPL Electric Utilities Inc.

Administrative Law Judge David A. Salapa will conduct the hearing at:

6 p.m., Nov. 5
Commonwealth Keystone Building – Use Forster Street Entrance
400 North St., Harrisburg (17120)

On Oct. 8, the Commission voted to examine PPL’s TOU proposal and complete that investigation by Jan. 31, 2010. Act 129 of 2008 required that TOU plans must receive Commission consideration within six months of being filed. PPL filed its plan on July 31, 2009.

According to the filing, the proposed TOU program would provide optional pricing for electric service for residential and small commercial and industrial customers. Under the plan, customers could choose a billing option that provides different pricing for “on-peak” and “off-peak” hours. Higher rates would be charged for on-peak hours while lower rates would be charged for off-peak hours. The rates would be set on a flat cents per kWh basis and be different for summer and non-summer periods.

Several parties have filed to intervene in the proceeding including the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, Eric Epstein, the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania, the PUC’s Office of Trial Staff and Richards Energy Group Inc.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

Prepare what you are going to say beforehand.  Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.

Bring copies.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.