PUC: Most PA Electric Utility Consumers To See 3.7% To 10.6% Increase In Electricity Prices During The Next 3 Months Starting Dec. 1

On November 24, the Public Utility Commission alerted consumers that do not shop for their electricity that electricity supply prices for all PUC regulated electric utilities will adjust for the next quarter of the year beginning on December 1. 

These seasonal changes matter: during the winter heating months, the cost of electricity can account for more than half of a typical customer bill.

Residential Customers

Effective December 1, customers of these electric utilities who do not shop for electricity will see their electricity prices increase in the quarter--

-- Duquesne Light: 12.43 to 13.75 ¢/kWh (+10.6%)

-- Pike County Light & Power (estimated): 10.1923 to 11.21 ¢/kWh (+9.9%)

-- Met-Ed: 11.905 to 12.965 ¢/kWh (+8.9%)

-- Penelec: 11.004 to 11.747 ¢/kWh (+6.75%)

-- Penn Power: 11.858 to 12.606 ¢/kWh (+6.31%)

-- West Penn Power: 10.318 to 10.947 ¢/kWh (+6.1%)

-- PECO: 10.4 to 11.024 ¢/kWh (+6%)

-- PPL: 12.49 to 12.953 ¢/kWh (+3.7%)

Customers of these electric utilities will see a decrease--

-- Wellsboro Electric: 12.809 to 12.04 ¢/kWh (–6%)

-- UGI Electric: 11.471 to 11.213 ¢/kWh (–2.25%)

The Citizens' Electric company has not yet made an adjustment announcement.

Small Business Customers

For small business customers, the PUC notes that most electric distribution companies are also adjusting their PTCs on December 1 in their small commercial rate classes. 

Among the state’s major EDCs, price changes in default service rates for small businesses will vary:

-- Duquesne Light small business customers will see a PTC increase of more than 12%.

-- FirstEnergy service territories (Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power and West Penn Power) increases range between 6.5% and 13.8%.

-- UGI Electric service territory will see a PTC drop of approximately 2.24%.

Duquesne Light - Customers Facing ‘Astronomically Higher’ Bills

In a statement October 27 on higher electricity prices, Duquesne Light said--

“Until 2024, Pennsylvania customers enjoyed competitive electricity prices and cost savings from the PJM market. 

“Today, due to the swift growth of data centers and AI; retirement of older power plants; transportation and building electrification; manufacturing plant growth; and a backlog of new generation sources, energy consumers in PJM’s territory are facing astronomically higher electric bills and are running an elevated risk of reliability issues, which could include rolling blackouts.”

Why December 1 Price Changes Matter

Electric bills have two primary components:

-- Generation/supply charge – This is the cost of the electricity you use. The price is set either by your competitive supplier (if you shop), or your utility’s “Price to Compare” (PTC), if you do not shop.

-- Delivery/distribution charge – This charge includes the cost for the poles, wires, and other infrastructure and operational services to deliver energy to your home or business. This portion of your monthly bill is set by the PUC as part of periodic rate cases filed by the utilities and generally remains stable for multiple years.

It is essential for utility customers to understand what they are paying for energy supply costs, either through default service from their utility or a contract with a competitive energy supplier.

Adjustments for Residential Customers

The generation/supply PTC typically makes up 40% to 60% of the customer’s total utility bill, but the actual impact on total bills will vary based on weather, the efficiency of your heating system, and individual usage. 

The Commission does not regulate energy prices themselves, which are driven by the regional energy market.  

Assistance With Residential Bills

For households struggling with higher energy costs, the PUC encourages you to Call your utilities now. 

A direct conversation is often the fastest and most effective first step to learn about utility assistance programs and address overdue balances. 

Pennsylvania’s utilities collectively dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars each year to universal service programs — including Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs), budget billing, weatherization, and hardship funds. 

These programs are designed to help eligible households reduce energy use, lower monthly costs, and stay connected, even during difficult times.

Your Winter Energy Checklist

To help consumers prepare for colder months, the PUC encourages everyone to take these simple steps:

-- Review your utility bills. Understand your current rate and usage — and how colder weather can increase demand.

-- Don’t wait to call. If you’re worried about paying your bill, contact your utility now to ask about assistance programs or payment plans.

-- Ask about affordability programs. Utilities offer programs like CAPs, budget billing, and hardship funds that can reduce your monthly costs.

-- Make small energy-saving changes. Lower your thermostat by one or two degrees, check furnace filters, and seal drafts — small actions that add up.

-- Shop For Energy/Explore energy-saving tools. Visit PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com for energy tips, shopping options, and more ways to save.  In most areas of Pennsylvania, consumers can choose who supplies their electricity – based on price or other factors, such as renewable energy. 

Staying Warm, Safe, and Connected

Consumers who cannot resolve issues directly with their utility can contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380 for help or more information about available programs.

Click Here for the PUC announcement.

Related Articles This Week:

-- PUC: Most PA Electric Utility Consumers To See 3.7% To 10.6% Increase In Electricity Prices During The Next 3 Months Starting Dec. 1  [PaEN] 

-- PUC Invites Comments On Proposed Model Tariff To Balance A.I. Data Center Growth And Ratepayer Protection  [PaEN]

-- PUC Invites Comments On Model Tariff For Connecting A.I. Data Center To The Grid

-- PUC Commissioners Agree On Need To ‘Get It Right’ On Reforming Grid Connection Process For Solar, Renewable, All Energy Sources To Protect Consumers, Grid Reliability  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Electricity Costs Set To Rise In Most Of PA Next Month Due To A.I. Data Center Demands, Backlog Of New Generation Sources [Duquesne Light: Customers Facing ‘Astronomically Higher Bills’] 

-- Morning Call: PA Electricity Rising Dec. 1: PPL, Met-Ed, PECO Customers Will See Higher Bills

-- PennLive: PPL, FirstEnergy Raising Electricity Rates Dec. 1; PPL Seeking Additional 7% Increase; A Real Concern For Many

-- WHYY: Philadelphia Gas Works Residential Customers To See Monthly Bills Jump By About $6

-- Utility Dive: FERC Approves PECO - Amazon A.I. Data Center Transmission Agreement For Bucks County; Rejected Call To Assess Impact On Energy Costs For Existing Ratepayers, Energy Capacity

-- Utility Dive: US DOE A.I. Data Center Load Connection Proposal Sparks Federal-State Jurisdiction Concerns, Data Centers Offer Qualified Support 

Resource Links - Energy Affordability:

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part I:  PA Utility Law Project - Utility Terminations Up 30% Already; Prioritize Existing Loads; Centers Need To Help Pay For Utility Assistance  [PaEN] 

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part II: PA Consumer Advocate - PUC Should Set Conditions For Centers To Be Served By The Grid; Set Power Curtailment Priorities [PaEN]

-- Data Center Stampede Trampling PA Ratepayers Part III:  PJM Market Monitor - Data Centers Have Cost Existing Ratepayers $16.6 Billion Already; Centers Should Bring Their Own Power Generation To Prevent More Large Price Spikes  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Electric Auction Impacts: 1 In 5 PA Households Report Problems Now Paying Energy Bills; Electric Utility Shutoffs Up 38.1% So Far This Year  [PaEN] 

-- PJM Electricity Auction: PJM Lost 2.8 Gigawatts Of Power Due To Reduced Reliability Rating Of Natural Gas Power Plants; Could Gain 12.2 Gigawatts By Increasing Reliability From Less Than 75% Now To An Achievable 90%  [PaEN]

Resource Links - Energy Costs:

-- PUC Invites Comments On Proposed Model Tariff To Balance A.I. Data Center Growth And Ratepayer Protection  [PaEN]

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: PUC Proposes Special Treatment For A.I. Data Center Power Connections To Contain The Cost Burden On Existing Ratepayers [PDF of Article]

-- NRDC: PJM Grid Members Fail To Recommend Any Of 12 Proposals To Prevent Existing Electric Ratepayers From Bearing The Costs, Reliability Risk Of Soaring A.I. Data Center Energy Demand  [PaEN] 

-- The Center Square: Consensus For Soaring A.I. Data Center Power Demands Still Elusive Among PJM Members

-- PA Capital-Star: PJM Grid Operator Weighs Proposals To Manage A.I. Data Center Impact On Electricity Affordability And Reliability 

-- WITF/LancasterOnline: Mild Forecast For PA Winter Heating Bills In Peril As Natural Gas Prices Surge

-- PUC Directs Staff To Develop Rule On Winter Terminations, Payment Arrangements, Other Consumer Protections

Resource Links - Grid Reliability:

-- North American Electric Reliability Corp: Electric Grid At Elevated Risk Of Insufficient Energy Supplies During Extreme Weather Due To Rising A.I. Data Center Demands, 'Precarious' Natural Gas Supplies  [PaEN] 

-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp: Winter Peak Demand Is Rising Faster Than Resource Additions

-- Reuters: US A.I. Data Center Demand Raising Power Risks This Winter, NERC Says

-- Bloomberg: US Faces Winter Blackout Risks From A.I. Data Centers’ Power Needs, NERC Says

[Posted: November 24, 2025]  PA Environment Digest