Press Release

PUC Unveils New Video on Fixed and Variable Rates

Published on 3/20/2014

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Robert F. Powelson today unveiled a roughly one-minute video available on www.PAPowerSwitch.com, the PUC website and YouTube to further educate electricity customers about choosing between fixed and variable rates.

"This is an ongoing education process," Chairman Powelson said during a state House Consumer Affairs Committee public hearing on variable rates.  "We have posted messages on our website and consumer alerts about variable prices.  This new video talks about the difference between a fixed rate product and a variable rate product.  We are doing a deeper dive to educate consumers to choose whether fixed or variable rates are right for them."

The video can be found on the PUC website on the Educational Videos page, the PAPowerSwitch website’s Understanding Fixed & Variable Rates page, and on the PUC’s YouTube channel.

The video is the first in a series of one-minute videos highlighting key aspects of choosing and staying with a competitive supplier, and recent actions taken by the Commission to enhance the shopping experience for consumers.  Future videos will feature using the sorting and filtering functionality of the online shopping tool, cancellation fees, and ways to save energy, among other things.  PUC staff produced the video with existing Commission resources.

“When shopping for an electric supplier, it is very important that you understand the difference between a fixed price product and a variable one,” a PUC consumer educator says in the video.  “Depending on which one you choose, it will directly impact your electric bill.”

The video goes on to define “fixed price” and “variable price,” and offers illustrations to explain the difference and how to tell between offers of the two types of rates on PAPowerSwitch.

Today’s announcement follows Commission actions throughout the week on new requirements for supplier disclosure statements and accelerated switching times for electricity supply, as well as other recent enhancements and education on www.PAPowerSwitch.com related to fixed and variable rates.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov.  Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov