PA Environment Digest Blog

On March 13, PPL Utilities announced it has submitted a joint petition for non-unanimous settlement to the Public Utility Commission requesting approval for an increase in base distribution rates.

This proposed adjustment aims to support ongoing investments in a safe, reliable and resilient electric system, while maintaining a strong commitment to customer affordability and service.

If approved, this would mark the company's first base distribution rate increase since 2016.

Parties to the settlement include a large and diverse group of stakeholders, including low-income, residential and business consumer advocates.

Only two parties raised limited objections, which are confined to certain provisions regarding large net metering customer classification.

“The only active parties who oppose any aspect of the Settlement are the Customer Generator Coalition and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania.

“Their opposition is limited to the provisions of this Settlement concerning the Maximum Registered Peak Load proposal (see Section III.J, infra). IGS Solar, the only other active party in this matter, does not take a position regarding the Settlement”

The settlement provides for an increase in the annual base distribution revenues of $275 million to strengthen system reliability, improve customer service and affordability, and support vital investments for future growth.

The proposed rate for a residential customer using 1,000 kW of electricity and using PPL default electricity service would increase from $191.49/month to $198.91/month ($7.42/month)-- a 3.8% increase.

Under the original proposal, these residential customers would have seen an increase of $13.37/month to $204.86 or 6.9%.

The settlement includes important provisions to help ensure the delivery of safe, dependable electric distribution service, while fostering the economic competitiveness of the communities served by PPL Electric Utilities.

Investments supported include--

-- Delivering greater reliability and resilience for customers by replacing aging infrastructure with stronger poles and equipment, installing animal, avian and lightning guards, enhancing tree trimming and removal intended to reduce outages, and expanding advanced smart grid technologies that accelerate restoration and improve service.

-- Enhancing support for vulnerable customers by increasing hardship fund bill credits, improving access to assistance programs, eliminating reconnection fees, streamlining return of security deposits and boosting the annual low-income weatherization budget.

-- Supporting small businesses by mitigating cost impacts of net-metered distributed generation and providing flexible payment options.

-- Creating a new large load customer rate class and electric service tariff with a 10-year load and financial commitment. This new rate class will provide $11 million in support for the residential low-income program, helping reduce costs for residential customers, and includes safeguards to manage increased demand from large load customers.

If approved by the PUC, the settlement agreement would result in the following customer bill increases, based on estimated total bills using rates effective Jan. 1, 2026--

-- Residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month could see their total bill increase by about $7.42.

-- Commercial customers using 1,000 kWh and 3 KW per month could see their total bill increase by $4.64 per month.

-- Industrial customers using 150,000 kWh and 500 KW per month could see their total bill increase by about $382.63.

As part of the settlement, PPL Electric Utilities will not increase distribution base rates for two years from the effective date of the new rates.

If approved, new distribution base rates would go into effect July 1, 2026.

Click Here for the PPL announcement. Click Here for proposed settlement.

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard- March 7 to 13 [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - March 14 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 77 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 14 PA Bulletin [PaEN]

-- DEP Receives Act 2 Land Recycling Notice On Former Cheswick Power Plant To Be Converted To Springdale A.I. Data Center In Allegheny County [PaEN]

-- DEP Published Notice In March 14 PA Bulletin Of Title V Air Permit Renewal For Homer City Coal-Fired Power Plant Covering Shutdown, Emission Reduction Credits At The Site Of Proposed A.I. Data Center Campus. (PA Bulletin, page 1506)

-- DEP Reaches $11.4 Million Settlement With Four Companies For Bishop Tube Site Cleanup In Chester County; Public Comments Due May 14 [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets April 9 Hearing On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Response At The Mahoning Street Milton Radioactive Materials Site In Northumberland County [PaEN]

-- DEP Accepting Comments On Proposed Consent Agreement On Landis Creek Hazardous Site In Montgomery County; Comments Due May 14 [PaEN]

-- DEP Invites Comments On Proposed Purchase/Cleanup Agreement For The Waynesboro TCE Hazardous Site In Franklin County; Comments Due May 14

-- DEP To Hold April 8 Informal Public Conference On Adding 4,380 Acres To Consol Coal Enlow Fork Coal Mine In Greene County [PaEN]

-- DEP Sets April 16 Hearing On Wastewater Permit For PA American Water Manwalamink Treatment Plant In Smithfield Twp., Monroe County [PaEN]

-- Philadelphia Air Management Services To Hold Virtual April 30 Hearing On Air Quality Permit For Children’s Hospital Of Philadelphia Parking Garage [PaEN]