Pennsylvania bill seeks transparency for utility rate increases

Pennsylvania state Representative Brenda Pugh has introduced House Bill 2738, which aims to increase transparency regarding utility charges. The proposed legislation would require the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to expand its yearly rate comparison reports to provide clearer explanations for price fluctuations.

Under the bill, regulators would be required to break down rate adjustments for residential, commercial, and industrial users over a five-year period. The reports would detail specific costs such as base rates, delivery and transmission fees, fuel adjustments, infrastructure improvement charges, and storm recovery fees. Additionally, the commission would need to estimate the average monthly impact of these changes on different customer classes and specify whether increases stem from state law, federal law, or regulator-approved filings.

Representative Pugh stated that the bill is intended to provide more openness for families, seniors, and small businesses facing rising energy costs, ensuring they receive plain-language explanations rather than simple notices of rate increases.