PUC Says Now Is The Time To Shop For Electricity Supplier

HARRISBURG (CBS) - The holiday shopping season is upon us and the Public Utility Commission says there's one more thing to put on your shopping list: a new electricity supplier that will save you money when PECO rate caps expire January 1st.

PUC Commissioner Rob Powelson says the time is now to start comparing deals and he says no one should fear offending PECO should they pick a different power supplier which could save residential customers on average $100 to $180 a year:

"If a thunderstorm rolls through, (and) you picked an alternative generation supplier, PECO will still service you as a customer so nothing changes."

Powelson also says that even though some of these suppliers may not be household names they are not fly-by-night operations:

"Customers should have the peace of mind knowing that these companies are approved to do business here in Pennsylvania by the Public Utility Commission. They have bonding requirements. They have to post certificates of insurance."

Powelson says that as of now there are 13 suppliers competing for residential customers. He says consumers who want to save should be looking for a price better than 9.92 cents-per-kilowatt hour which is the default rate residential PECO customers will be charged if they don't make a choice.

To compare visit the PUC's website, papowerswitch.com.

Reported by: Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio