WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE CO. (WOLF) — After PPL proposed a utility rate increase, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission began a nearly year-long investigation process, ahead of a decision by their commission.
In October, the Commission voted to suspend and investigate the proposed change, which would give the company an annual revenue increase of about $356 million, more than a 33% hike for PPL.
Beginning this month, one of the first steps in the process is to hear from those who would be impacted by these rate increases.
A series of public hearings were held throughout the Commonwealth, with the final hearing scheduled for Thursday at 6 P.M. in at Wilkes University’s Henry Student Center in Wilkes-Barre.
Once these hearings conclude, the investigation process will continue, according to Nils Hagen-Frederiksen, press secretary for the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
“There are groups representing seniors and low-income folks and environmental organizations and business groups. All of them are deeply involved in the investigation. We’re in the process of gathering their expert witnesses and testimony. There will be formal evidentiary hearings where those expert witnesses are heard, later on this year. There will be written legal briefs from all of the parties. There will be response briefs,” he said.
Once all evidence is collected, Hagen-Frederiksen says the two PUC judges handling the investigation will make a recommendation to the commission.
The commissioners will review all of the case files separately from the judges and make a final decision with the information and recommendation in mind.
The commissioner’s decision is due on July 1st , 2026.
Access to evidence documents cab be found on the PPUC website here, as they become available .