Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Requests by Wellsboro Electric Company, Valley Energy Inc and Citizens Electric Company of Lewisburg

Published on 8/29/2019

Filed under: Electric Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate rate increase requests filed by Wellsboro Electric Company (Wellsboro Electric), Valley Energy Inc. (Valley Energy) and Citizens’ Electric Company of Lewisburg (Citizens’ Electric).

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the requests, which are suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for a recommended decision. 

Final decisions by the Commission are due by March 30, 2020.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the PUC’s website. 

In their initial request, filed on July 1, 2019, Wellsboro Electric had sought an electric distribution revenue increase of $1,419,610 per year (27.7%), though that request was later reduced by Wellsboro Electric to $999,967 per year (19.5%). 

Valley Energy’s rate increase request, also filed on July 1, 2019, initially proposed a natural gas distribution revenue increase of $1,034,186 per year (20.6%), though that request was revised by Valley Energy to an annual increase of $834,546 per year (16.6%).

Additionally, Citizens’ Electric has requested an electric distribution rate increase of $792,246 per year (16.5%).

Wellsboro Electric serves 6,377 electric customers in the Borough of Wellsboro and portions of several surrounding townships in Tioga County.

Valley Energy serves 6,942 natural gas customers in Sayre and surrounding communities in Bradford County.

Citizens Electric serves 7,043 electric customers in Lewisburg and surrounding communities in Union and Northumberland counties.

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket Nos.:
R-2019-3008208
R-2019-3008209
R-2019-3008212

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov