The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says customers will see energy supply prices change at the beginning of December. <\/p>\n
Channel 11 spoke to people about the increase and how they plan to deal with it.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need a break somewhere that\u2019s for sure,\u201d South Hills resident Brenda Klein said. \u201cIt\u2019s already expensive enough – all the utilities are, and the gas. Now that it\u2019s going to be wintertime, and yeah, it really stinks.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the reaction from some electricity customers after finding out their rates are going up Dec. 1st.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt seems like everything is increasing in price, so utility bills increasing, although it\u2019s sad, I\u2019m not surprised by it,\u201d Bridgeville resident Rory Lockhart said.<\/p>\n
In our area, Duquesne Light customers will see a 10.6%, Penelec customers a 6.75% increase, Penn Power a 6.31% increase and West Penn Power customers a 6.1% increase. <\/p>\n
\u201cRight in time for Christmas and just when everything else is going up at the same time. Yeah – not enough money for anything,\u201d Klein added.<\/p>\n
The PUC says during the winter heating months, the cost of electricity can account for more than half of a typical customer\u2019s bill. <\/p>\n
The commission says the impact on a customer\u2019s bill will vary based on weather, the efficiency of your heating system, and how much power you use.<\/p>\n
Some say they\u2019ll do what they can to conserve.<\/p>\n
\u201cTry to be more cognizant of the usage of energy. Any ways that you can cut back on energy and conserve some of that money – try to do that as much as you can,\u201d Lockhart said. <\/p>\n
PUC says customers who are worried they won\u2019t be able to pay their bills should act early and call their utility companies now to discuss affordable options and assistance programs. <\/p>\n
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