Citizens’ Caucus Presentation – Electricity Rates – Can Consumers expect Lower Rates from Reorganization?
For Immediate Release
Citizens’ Caucus Presentation – Electricity Rates – Can Consumers expect Lower Rates from Reorganization?
Remaining Pennsylvania electrical rate caps will expire on December 31, 2010. 2011 rates will be about 40% higher for customers of Met Ed. Customers of PECO will see little or no increase. When the Competition Act passed in 1996, some advocates promised that new competition would guarantee lower rates to all Pennsylvania consumers. However, recent data published by the Energy Information Administration, Dept. of Energy, indicate that prices in states that allow competition (FERC regulated) are generally higher than prices that are state regulated. Some of the competitive states have modified their programs to blunt higher wholesale prices in markets regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or have abandoned FERC regulation completely. FERC market advocates point to improved operating efficiency of generation plants as proof that competition has provided benefits.
The public is invited to attend a debate hosted by Citizens’ Caucus at a breakfast meeting on Saturday, April 24 on the question: “Resolved: That Pennsylvania Rate Payers have or will receive significant economic benefits from the electricity market reorganization.”
Affirmative Speaker:
Terry Fitzpatrick – President and CEO of Energy Association of Pennsylvania. EAP is an industry trade group representing electric and natural gas utilities; Mr. Fitzpatrick is a former member of the Pennsylvania PUC where he served as Chairman from 2003-2004. A lawyer, Mr. Fitzpatrick has represented the PUC, Energy Committee of the PA Senate, the PA Insurance Department.
Negative Speaker:
Herb Braden, Chairman, Citizens’ Caucus. A retired Mechanical Engineer, Mr. Braden worked for engineering firms over 40 years and was responsible for the design and construction of power plants and environmental control systems. He was the initial developer of the privately owned, Piney Creek waste coal project.
Time and Place:
• Saturday, April 24, 2010, 8AM - Mt. Gretna Fire Hall on Boulevard Street - South off Route 117 – across from Hide-A-Way Restaurant.
• A breakfast buffet will be served at 8 AM. - $10.00 for Citizens’ Caucus members and $12.00 for non-members (includes breakfast).
• Call 717-964 1802 for reservations. Seating is limited.
• Parking is to the rear of the fire hall.
Citizens’ Caucus is a non-sectarian, non-partisan citizens’ issue study group. General meetings, open to the public, are scheduled quarterly. Membership is open to all citizens who wish to participate in planning and organizing our public meetings. Annual membership dues are $10.00.
Contact:
Herbert. H. Braden, Chairman. 717-964-1802