Rising energy costs lead to concerns in Western Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania homeowners and business owners alike will likely see higher power bills by the end of June. Pennsylvania’s Public Utilities Commission warned residents to expect higher energy costs starting June 1. “The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reminds consumers that updated electric generation prices take effect today for all PUC-regulated electric utilities, as households across Pennsylvania begin entering the highest electric-use months of the summer season,” the PUC stated in a press release. “Starting today, electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania have adjusted their ‘Price to Compare’ — the cost per kilowatt-hour charged to customers who have not selected a competitive electric generation supplier. These prices are based on wholesale market rates and can significantly impact monthly bills.”Duquesne Light customers can expect cost increases of up to 2.8%. West Penn Power customers could see their bills raised by as much as 10.3%. “It’s just like shoveling another piece of dirt on your grave,” West Penn Power customer David Patterson said. “They just keep piling it on. It’s difficult. You do have to make some decisions. You have to watch what you spend your money on.”West Penn Power is the main energy supplier throughout Westmoreland County. “It’s crazy,” Lisa Roberts, a Greensburg resident and West Penn customer, said. “Everything’s going up. Food, gas, electricity.”Roberts and Patterson said they’re already conscious of how much they use appliances during the summer. “Lyndon Johnson used to run around the White House turning out the lights, and I do that too,” Patterson said. “It’s silly, but every little bit helps. I know people who are older. Their Social Security is all they have.”“It’s summertime,” Roberts added. “We need the air conditioning. We need the lights on.” While some things can be done to keep costs down at home, the same can’t be said at work. “It’s very jarring,” Tommy Medley, owner of White Rabbit Café, said. “They’ve already doubled our rate since last year. The pure volume of consumption we have here is around four times my household usage.”Medley said he’s done everything already to keep the power meter down. “That’s a meaningful increase,” he said. “All of our operations are LED. We can’t just turn off operations at midday. I’m operating with the knowledge that everybody’s getting pinched. A $7 cookie isn’t doing anybody any good. I have to strike this balance between what’s my cost and what’s my price, and that margin is getting shrunk.”West Penn Power provided a statement to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on the cost spike. Their statement reads as follows: “The ‘Price to Compare’ for West Penn Power has increased about 10% over the previous rate, effective today, June. 1, due to higher auction prices. For an average residential customer using 750 kWh, this will be an $11.28 increase on their monthly bill. The previous PTC was 10.95 cents/kWh – as of today, it will be 12.08 cents/kWh. “As a reminder, we do not generate electricity or control supply prices, which can change due to the dynamic nature of the energy market. We simply deliver electricity to homes and businesses and collect any supply costs on behalf of suppliers without a markup. ”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. We know managing energy costs is important to our customers, and any increase can cause concern. We’re committed to providing the information and tools customers need to prepare for electric supply price increases and manage their bills while delivering the safe, reliable power they deserve. ”With summer approaching, higher temperatures often lead to increased energy usage as we all try to stay cool in our homes. Check out these programs and tips that can help you manage your energy use and costs: Control Your Energy Use and Budget This Summer”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.”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.  “While customers may not be able to avoid supply price increases by choosing a competitive energy supplier, they may be able to save money by choosing a supplier offering a rate lower than the default rate on their bill. More information is available at www.firstenergycorp.com/customerchoice. When choosing a supplier, be sure to carefully consider the price, plan structure (fixed or variable rate), contract length, terms and conditions, and any taxes, charges, or fees that may apply.”Our commitment to providing safe and reliable electric service remains steadfast, and we will continue to keep customers informed about any future developments. We encourage all customers to explore options and programs that may be able to help them manage their energy budget.”“It’s definitely not trending in a way that I, as a business owner, would like to see,” Medley said. “It won’t affect pay or product availability, but it’s one more piece to add to a puzzle that’s getting increasingly more complex and more difficult to operate with already tight margins.”Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel

GREENSBURG, Pa. —

Pennsylvania homeowners and business owners alike will likely see higher power bills by the end of June.

Pennsylvania’s Public Utilities Commission warned residents to expect higher energy costs starting June 1.

“The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission reminds consumers that updated electric generation prices take effect today for all PUC-regulated electric utilities, as households across Pennsylvania begin entering the highest electric-use months of the summer season,” the PUC stated in a press release. “Starting today, electric distribution companies in Pennsylvania have adjusted their ‘Price to Compare’ — the cost per kilowatt-hour charged to customers who have not selected a competitive electric generation supplier. These prices are based on wholesale market rates and can significantly impact monthly bills.”

Duquesne Light customers can expect cost increases of up to 2.8%. West Penn Power customers could see their bills raised by as much as 10.3%.

“It’s just like shoveling another piece of dirt on your grave,” West Penn Power customer David Patterson said. “They just keep piling it on. It’s difficult. You do have to make some decisions. You have to watch what you spend your money on.”

West Penn Power is the main energy supplier throughout Westmoreland County.

“It’s crazy,” Lisa Roberts, a Greensburg resident and West Penn customer, said. “Everything’s going up. Food, gas, electricity.”

Roberts and Patterson said they’re already conscious of how much they use appliances during the summer.

“Lyndon Johnson used to run around the White House turning out the lights, and I do that too,” Patterson said. “It’s silly, but every little bit helps. I know people who are older. Their Social Security is all they have.”

“It’s summertime,” Roberts added. “We need the air conditioning. We need the lights on.”

While some things can be done to keep costs down at home, the same can’t be said at work.

“It’s very jarring,” Tommy Medley, owner of White Rabbit Café, said. “They’ve already doubled our rate since last year. The pure volume of consumption we have here is around four times my household usage.”

Medley said he’s done everything already to keep the power meter down.

“That’s a meaningful increase,” he said. “All of our operations are LED. We can’t just turn off operations at midday. I’m operating with the knowledge that everybody’s getting pinched. A $7 cookie isn’t doing anybody any good. I have to strike this balance between what’s my cost and what’s my price, and that margin is getting shrunk.”

West Penn Power provided a statement to Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 on the cost spike. Their statement reads as follows:

“The ‘Price to Compare’ for West Penn Power has increased about 10% over the previous rate, effective today, June. 1, due to higher auction prices. For an average residential customer using 750 kWh, this will be an $11.28 increase on their monthly bill. The previous PTC was 10.95 cents/kWh – as of today, it will be 12.08 cents/kWh.

“As a reminder, we do not generate electricity or control supply prices, which can change due to the dynamic nature of the energy market. We simply deliver electricity to homes and businesses and collect any supply costs on behalf of suppliers without a markup. 

“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. We know managing energy costs is important to our customers, and any increase can cause concern. We’re committed to providing the information and tools customers need to prepare for electric supply price increases and manage their bills while delivering the safe, reliable power they deserve. 

“With summer approaching, higher temperatures often lead to increased energy usage as we all try to stay cool in our homes. Check out these programs and tips that can help you manage your energy use and costs: Control Your Energy Use and Budget This Summer

“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.

“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. 

“While customers may not be able to avoid supply price increases by choosing a competitive energy supplier, they may be able to save money by choosing a supplier offering a rate lower than the default rate on their bill. More information is available at www.firstenergycorp.com/customerchoice. When choosing a supplier, be sure to carefully consider the price, plan structure (fixed or variable rate), contract length, terms and conditions, and any taxes, charges, or fees that may apply.

“Our commitment to providing safe and reliable electric service remains steadfast, and we will continue to keep customers informed about any future developments. We encourage all customers to explore options and programs that may be able to help them manage their energy budget.”

“It’s definitely not trending in a way that I, as a business owner, would like to see,” Medley said. “It won’t affect pay or product availability, but it’s one more piece to add to a puzzle that’s getting increasingly more complex and more difficult to operate with already tight margins.”

Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel