HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — A Pennsylvania electric utility’s proposed rate hike is on hold for now.
Allentown-based PPL Electric Utilities sought a $356.3 million distribution rate hike it said would have added about $13 per month to residential customers bills using 1,000 kWh per month, amounting to about a 7% increase.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted 5-0 to pause and investigate the rate hike.
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The rate increase was supposed to take effect Dec. 1, 2025, and has now been paused for seven months, the PUC said.
It will now be referred to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for investigation and recommended decisions. Public input hearings will be scheduled to gather testimony from concerned customers and interested stakeholders.
PPL said it is the first distribution rate change since 2016. The generation rate, also known as the price-to-compare, fluctuates and stands 50% higher today than in the summer and fall of 2020. Customers can shop around for the best price for their generation rate, while the distribution rate is charged to all PPL customers.
A final PUC decision on PPL’s rate increase request is due by July 1, 2026.
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The utility serves much of Dauphin and Lancaster counties and portions of Cumberland, Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties.
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