Pennsylvanians should expect to pay more on their electric bills come June, including customers of Duquesne Light and West Penn Power.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission announced this week that electric utility prices will adjust on June 1 for all state-regulated electric utilities — alongside an expected increase of air conditioning use across the state.
Both Duquesne Light, which serves 812 square miles across Allegheny and Beaver counties, and West Penn Power, which serves Westmoreland, Washington, Somerset, Indiana, Fayette, Greene, Clarion, Bedford, Butler, Armstrong and parts of Allegheny County, will be affected.
Prices are usually adjusted on both June 1 for summer and Dec. 1 for winter.
Because of warm summer temperatures, the PUC said air conditioning use increases electricity demand. Summer electric bills are influenced by the amount of electricity used during hot weather but also the market price of electricity.
Duquesne Light electric prices will increase approximately 2.84%, and West Penn Power will increase approximately 10.3% as of June 1, according to the PUC.
This means the Duquesne Light current price of 13.75 cents per kilowatt-hour will increase to 14.14 cents per kilowatt-hour, and the West Penn Power current price of 10.947 cents per kilowatt-hour will increase to 12.075 cents per kilowatt-hour, the PUC said.
Anyone concerned about summer electricity bills can explore assistance programs through their utility companies — like budget billing, payment arrangements and more.
The PUC also advised customers to review their energy usage and explore possible conservation opportunities ahead of the June rise in prices and peak summer temperatures.
Ways customers can reduce unnecessary energy use are as follows:
- Adjusting thermostats
- Replacing HVAC filters
- Sealing air leaks
- Using fans
- Limiting heat-producing appliances