Delays In PPL Ratepayer Relief Program Loom

Reports from Harrisburg today indicate that the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has failed to approve the plan put forward by PPL, the area's largest electric utility, to soften the burden of the coming rate increases.

Originally slated for an approval vote 4/9, the issue was tabled by the PUC.  For the commission's 5/1 meeting the review and approval failed to even make the agenda.  A PUC official issued a statement saying that the commission was reluctant to act ahead of Pennsylvania Lawmakers, while another commissioner issued her own statement expressing her disappointment at the commission's inaction.

Go figure! A virtual monopoly tries to give their ratepayers a break by offering a prepayment program, and the state stonewalls it.  I posted about the first round of rate hikes back in August of last year...and it's only going to get worse.  Much worse. 

Here's a link to my discussion about Ed Rendell's new budget items for energy conservation.  Meanwhile, PPL posted earnings of $260million in earnings for the first quarter of 2008, vs. $203million for 2007.  Hmm.