Penelec/First Energy wants to raise your electric rates by nearly 10%

(WTAJ) — Penelec, part of the First Energy company, has requested a rate increase for customers with the Pa. Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Penelec has asked for a 9.8 percent rate increase that, if approved, would go into effect on June 1. This means a residential customer using 1,000 kWh, their bill would increase from $200.96 to $220.75. Commercial customers using 40 kWh for 250 hours would see an increase from $1,509.87 to $1,576.49 — 4.4 percent.

When a utility company requests a rate increase, it must be approved through the PUC. The PUC will take all evidence from the company to determine if the rate increase is reasonable. They may authorize full or partial increases, or even make a company reduce rates.

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If increases are approved by the PUC, it would equate to $132 million per year, First Energy said.

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