Duquesne Light rates climb 10% as statewide electric price hikes begin

Pennsylvania residents should brace for higher electric bills next month as temperatures drop and energy supply prices rise.

Beginning Dec. 1, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will adjust energy supply rates for all state-regulated electric utilities.

Duquesne Light services will increase by 10.6% and West Penn Power services will increase by 6.1%, according to the PUC.

“These seasonal changes matter: During the winter heating months, the cost of electricity can account for more than half of a typical customer bill,” a PUC news release said.

Providers in the Greater Pittsburgh region affected by the change include Duquesne Light, which serves 812 square miles across Allegheny and Beaver counties, and West Penn Power, which serves Westmoreland, Washington, Somerset, Indiana, Fayette, Greene, Clarion, Bedford, Butler, Armstrong and parts of Allegheny County.

Electric bills consist of two main parts: the cost of the electricity a customer uses and the cost of delivering that power to a home or business.

The electricity supply charge — known as the utility’s “Price to Compare” — typically accounts for 40% to 60% of a customer’s total bill. Winter bills can fluctuate based on weather conditions, heating system efficiency and individual energy use.

The PUC advises customers concerned about rising bills to explore assistance programs or payment plans through their provider, lower their thermostat by one or two degrees, check furnace filters and seal drafty areas.