PUC marks 2 million electric customers shopping

HARRISBURG — With two million Pennsylvania electric customers using a competitive electric supplier, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) celebrated the milestone while stressing that more work needs to be done to ensure the competitive market continues.

“Two million homeowners and employers are saving money — from a few dollars to as much as $30 a month for residential consumers,” said PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson. “While we are celebrating that achievement, we are mindful that work still needs to be done to ensure the healthy market that has allowed us to achieve this success moves forward.”

Joining the PUC to mark two million customers using a competitive supplier for electricity were Wolf Furniture, who hosted the event at their Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, location, the North Penn School District (Montgomery County), the Retail Energy Suppliers Association, the Pennsylvania Retailers’ Association, OnDemand Energy and electric utilities, who support shopping as they cannot make a profit on that portion of a customer’s bill.

When the last of the rate caps began to expire in January 2010, about 337,600 electric customers were using a competitive supplier. Through consumer education efforts, including websites such as www.PAPowerSwitch.com, electric customers became increasingly more comfortable with their ability to shop for electricity, saving money and taking advantage of incentives offered by suppliers.

The PUC is in the final stages of an investigation intended to ensure the state’s regulatory framework is one that encourages a market where consumers have continued choices for electric supply.

“This celebration of 2 million shopping customers is not the end of our story," PUC Vice Chairman John F. Coleman. "The PUC is in the final stages of an investigation intended to ensure the state’s regulatory framework is one that encourages a market where consumers have continued choices for electric supply.”