Thousands Shop For Cheaper Power, Part Ways With PPL

Thousands of customers are parting ways with PPL . The company says nearly 117,000 people have made the switch to another electricity supplier.

[Sick of the crap]

just keep shoving in there a little deeper the economy isnt screwed enough already.

[Carbide]

I am not sure about this, but with the rate cap off these other power companies could possibly raise their rates to match PPL after all these people switch over.

I don't know the basics so maybe they can't raise their rates by way of contract with the customers.

It's still a huge mess.

[PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD THIS]

I guess everyone is going to have to live in the dark...no one can afford this right now!!!!! Sure...they can raise rates and raise prices - but do ANY of the employers give their people pay raises??? NO!!!!!!!!!! It's frustrating and disgusting what people with money are doing to people who have none or little!!!!

[Havin Fun]

Some people call it free enterprise.....I call it GREED!!

[Suezanne]

I heard the savings is not much, but I guess it's better than nothing.

[a gore]

I've noticed some of the suppliers offer "green kilowatts" at a few cents more than the norm. I would be interested to know how that is workin' out for them. Here is a chance for all the enviros to put their money where their mouth is!!

[Cat]

What to cut? Let's see now. Cable? Newspaper? Cell-phone? Junk food? Something's got to give! I guess, No more dryer. Replace all the light bulbs with the energy saving ones. Hang the wash outside, like Mom did. Any other suggestions?

[Old Guy]

As far as I can tell, the difference between PPL and the others will only be about 1.5 cents per kwh.

Take your average monthly kwh usage and multiply by a penny and a half. Can't be a huge amount of money.

All of the other charges, including taxes, are pretty much fixed despite who else might provide your electricity. No?

[Linda]

Seems to me that the "STORY" from the president of PPL has a few kinks ! If they don't make ELECTRICITY , than what is Brunner Island or Holtwood , Montour , Susquehanna , Martins Creek plants do for PPL ?
Me thinks their is a lot of lies being spread by a shady character.
I'll bet they want to save their power to sell on the open market !!!Canada and New York WOULD love the PPL rate .
Anyone disagree ?

[current customer]

Form the tiny bit of shopping I did regarding this matter,it seems like most companies are taking the route of communication utilities; a smaller rate,(without disclosing fees) and a GIANT fee for breaking your commitment.
Why doesn't the PUC get involved with this? Why can't someone or some Agency, like the OCA, straight out say this is who you can buy from and this is the ACTUAL all inclusive cost (not just some numbers with some fees left out.)
I feel like I am buying tires; if you don't ask for the "Out of the Garage" rate you get quoted this excellent price only to find it did not include recycling fees, valve stems, inflation, balancing, etc.
Good luck to all of us.
Remember to vote in the next election.

[Confused customer]

Old Guy wrote:

As far as I can tell, the difference between PPL and the others will only be about 1.5 cents per kwh.
Take your average monthly kwh usage and multiply by a penny and a half. Can't be a huge amount of money.
All of the other charges, including taxes, are pretty much fixed despite who else might provide your electricity. No?

I spoke with a representative today at PP&L as I'm still confused on all this and the deadline is nearing. She said based on my homes useage over the last 6 months, I'm looking at a $6.00/month increase. I have electric hot water heater, stove and dryer, of which I hang most of my wash outside. Can't beat the smell of clean sheets on the bed fresh off the washline!!

Anyway, she said the ones who will really be feeling the pinch are those who have all electric homes, ie: heat, air conditioning, hot water heater, etc. These people have been receiving a discounted rate because they have all electric homes. The discount will no longer be in effect come January 1 and they will be paying full price now. These will be the people seeing upwards of 20% increase in bills.

I love how currently we have a whole 4 companies to pick from........woohoo! One of those is "green" energy. I don't mind green energy, but I don't want it to cost me more "green" either.
Another is expensive. Get a bargain rate for a whole 3 months then "welcome reality" and be locked in for a year! Another gave very little information about themselves and nothing on rates.

Guess I'll be choosing Dominion........I think? I wonder if there's a book out there "Buying electric for dummies"? I could surely use it right now as I sit yet again another night comparing prices on the little bit of information given to us the consumers.

Way to go PP&L.

[Switch and save]

Old Guy wrote:

As far as I can tell, the difference between PPL and the others will only be about 1.5 cents per kwh.
Take your average monthly kwh usage and multiply by a penny and a half. Can't be a huge amount of money.
All of the other charges, including taxes, are pretty much fixed despite who else might provide your electricity. No?

If you do the math and lets say you use 1000 kwh per month, at 1.5 cents per kwh less (by switching), that comes out to $15.00 a month less! and $180.00 a years less! That is good enough reason for me to switch!

[Solarman]

Confused customer wrote:

<quoted text>
I spoke with a representative today at PP&L as I'm still confused on all this and the deadline is nearing. She said based on my homes useage over the last 6 months, I'm looking at a $6.00/month increase. I have electric hot water heater, stove and dryer, of which I hang most of my wash outside. Can't beat the smell of clean sheets on the bed fresh off the washline!!
Anyway, she said the ones who will really be feeling the pinch are those who have all electric homes, ie: heat, air conditioning, hot water heater, etc. These people have been receiving a discounted rate because they have all electric homes. The discount will no longer be in effect come January 1 and they will be paying full price now. These will be the people seeing upwards of 20% increase in bills.
I love how currently we have a whole 4 companies to pick from........woohoo! One of those is "green" energy. I don't mind green energy, but I don't want it to cost me more "green" either.
Another is expensive. Get a bargain rate for a whole 3 months then "welcome reality" and be locked in for a year! Another gave very little information about themselves and nothing on rates.
Guess I'll be choosing Dominion........I think? I wonder if there's a book out there "Buying electric for dummies"? I could surely use it right now as I sit yet again another night comparing prices on the little bit of information given to us the consumers.
Way to go PP&L.

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[Tango]

What you people dont seem to realize is that its way cheaper here than in many other states. What are you complaining about? You dont know how good you have it. NYC is triple the cost, Los Angeles is even more.
Even with the increase its still hella cheap compared to other states. Stop whining and appreciate it

[Solarman]

Tango wrote:

What you people dont seem to realize is that its way cheaper here than in many other states. What are you complaining about? You dont know how good you have it. NYC is triple the cost, Los Angeles is even more.
Even with the increase its still hella cheap compared to other states. Stop whining and appreciate it

You're right, for the time being it is cheaper. SCE in California as well as PG&E implemented tiered rate structures within their electricity rates. SCE starts with 42KWh a month at 0.12 per KWh. The first tier goes up to around 0.15 per KWh, the second tier 0.18 per KWh, third tier is 0.21 per KWh and then it is 0.28 per KWh after that. The reason they did this? A call was made to ratepayers to cut back on electricity use. They did, the profit margin sank and a way to make up the revenue loss was tiered rates. Deregulation and tiered rates is a cancerous wave sweeping across the country. It's just a matter of time til it gets to you.

[Deb]

Tango wrote:

What you people dont seem to realize is that its way cheaper here than in many other states. What are you complaining about? You dont know how good you have it. NYC is triple the cost, Los Angeles is even more.
Even with the increase its still hella cheap compared to other states. Stop whining and appreciate it

But isn't that why those who make NYC salaries live here instead of there. What about those of us who work and live here....?

[hmm]

i was a bit concerned about the rate increase and somewhat confused about the options offered...cheaper sounds really great...but how long can or will that last...i still feel comfortable with my old shoe...after taking SOME info on the other options...i do believe that there rates will increase in due time and may they may be more than pp&l... after seeing ALL those x-mas lights on houses the last couple years ..i find it hard to believe everyone is in a crisis

[Suezanne]

hmm wrote:

i was a bit concerned about the rate increase and somewhat confused about the options offered...cheaper sounds really great...but how long can or will that last...i still feel comfortable with my old shoe...after taking SOME info on the other options...i do believe that there rates will increase in due time and may they may be more than pp&l... after seeing ALL those x-mas lights on houses the last couple years ..i find it hard to believe everyone is in a crisis

I was thinking the same thing, they tell you the rates are cheaper than PPL, then will raise them once they hook you in. I will keep PPL.

[Diane]

Wait until cap and trade passes. If it does..the prices of all utilities will go up for the global warming myth. Then everyone will complain. This is what you voted for..Happy New Year..may your wallet be less merry next year!!

[talkinghawk]

So will the overcharges by PPL be recalculated to reflect the thousands of lost customers? Will the 16plus million in overcharges be rebated to PPL customers or stay in PPL pockets?