Kaufer, Ryncavage Applaud PUC’s Decision to Investigate Utility Rate Increase
HARRISBURG – With the price of utility payments on the rise, and families battling the surging costs of running their households, Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) and Alec Ryncavage (R-Luzerne) are commending the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) decision to investigate a rate increase request filed by UGI Utilities Inc. – Electric Division (UGI Electric).
UGI Electric provides electric distribution services to approximately 63,000 customers in Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The proposed rate increase, filed earlier this year on Jan. 27, has the potential for customers to absorb a nearly 9% increase.
“Families are struggling with the unprecedented inflation we are experiencing in our communities, and a substantial increase to their electric bill is simply unacceptable,” said Kaufer. “I commend the PUC for taking action on this issue, and I look forward to working directly with UGI Electric about what can be done now and what options are available for our residents moving forward to prevent these increases and work toward lowering energy bills.”
“This is an issue that Rep. Kaufer and I have been concerned about and working on for the past several weeks,” said Ryncavage. “Some residents are seeing upwards of a $200 increase in their electric bill with more increases on the way. This simply cannot continue, and I applaud the PUC for stepping up and investigating this on behalf of the residents of Luzerne County. Working class families are already struggling to pay their bills in a year of record-high inflation. This is the last thing they need.”
The PUC’s action will suspend the proposed rate increase request for up to seven months while the case is assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for additional investigation. A final decision by the commission on this rate increase request is due by Oct. 28.