Tighter Controls on Variable-Rate Electric Plans Proposed

The state House Consumer Affairs Committee met Thursday to discuss recent rate spikes for Pennsylvania resident with variable-rate electricity plans.

The public hearing was convened after state lawmakers received “a flood of calls and emails from Pennsylvania rate payers who were hit with exceedingly high electric bills following recent storms and record low temperatures,” Rep. Robert Godshall’s office said. Godshall (R-53rd) is the chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee.

Testifying before the committee Thursday were the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission; the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate; PJM, the federally-regulated transmission grid manager for Pennsylvania and 12 other states; and the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, which represents electric distribution utilities.

The Public Utility Commission has received more than 9,000 complaints statewide about spiking electric rates, PUC Chairman Robert Powelson said Thursday.

Godshall has introduced House Bill 2104, which would limit rate increases and would allow customers to switch companies without fee or penalty.

Another public hearing on variable-rate electricity plans is set for April 10 in Pittsburgh.

Have you switch to a variable-rate electric plan? Have you seen your rates change drastically? Let us know in the comments below!