PUC Investigates PPL’s Proposed Time-of-Use Rate Option

The Public Utility Commission this week voted to investigate a proposal to allow PPL customers the option of time-of-use rates.

The Commission voted 5-0 to examine the proposal and to approve a motion by Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli to complete that investigation by January 31, 2010. Act 129 of 2008 required that TOU plans must receive Commission consideration within six months of being filed. PPL filed its plan on July 31, 2009.

According to the filing, the proposed TOU program would provide optional pricing for electric service for residential and small commercial and industrial customers. Under the plan, customers could choose a billing option that provides different pricing for “on-peak” and “off-peak” hours.

Higher rates would be charged for on-peak hours while lower rates would be charged for off-peak hours. The rates would be set on a flat cents per kWh basis and be different for summer and non-summer periods.

Several parties have filed to intervene in the proceeding including the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, Eric Epstein, the Sustainable Energy Fund of Central Eastern Pennsylvania, the PUC’s Office of Trial Staff and Richards Energy Group Inc.