CATASAUQUA, Pa. — Dozens of people from all over the Lehigh Valley spoke out at a public hearing in Catasauqua on Tuesday night over PPL’s proposed 7% rate increase.
From small business owners like Bud Hackett of Bethlehem to state and local officials like Rep. Jeanne McNeill and Lamont McClure, to homeowners in Slatington, Emmaus, Macungie, Allentown, Bethlehem and everywhere in between — those who spoke out at the PUC’s public hearing at Catasauqua Municipal Building are raising the red flag on PPL’s proposed $356.3 million rate increase.
“There is an affordability crisis right now and a rate increase will only add to it,” said Pa. Rep. McNeill, who represents the 133rd District.
“With rising prices in all phases of our life, the trip to a grocery store now brings anxiety,” Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said.
“This is opposed by literally everyone. There is no one for this rate increase,” said Brandon Matlack of Bethlehem.
Sole Lehigh Valley public hearing on PPL rate increase proposal to be held tomorrow
The increase, PPL says, keeps up with demand and rising energy costs.
“We have operated efficiently over 10 years. We continue to expand our smart grid and automation so we can do more for less,” said Dana Burns, with PPL Electric Utilities.
If approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, the average customer could expect their bill to go up 7% or about $13.
“Any time a utility asks for a rate change for the PUC, it triggers a nearly year-long investigative process. One of the big steps of that is to give consumers, the people who are going to be directly impacted by the change an opportunity to step forward, step to the microphone,” said Nils Hagen-Frederiksen with the PUC.
The PUC will make its decision regarding PPL’s request for a price increase by July 1, 2026.