We've been monitoring the rates shopping customers pay compared to the default rate, which is the rate charged if you do not choose a supplier.

We've found many of our residential customers are paying more for electricity through their supplier than they would have on the default rate. For customers paying more than the default rate, over a one-year period, our residential customers paid about $97 million more and small business customers paid $34 million more.

This is alarming.

The data really made me stop and take a step back. How is this happening?

One of the biggest issues I find is that suppliers sometimes use deceptive marketing tactics to attract customers.

I am sure we all know someone — or you yourself — who received a phone call or letter claiming to provide a new and better rate. Often these solicitations are disguised as a PPL-endorsed communication, using our logo or stating that the call is about your PPL bill. You may be told that if you switch now, you can get $300 in gift card rewards.

If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Those gift cards they offer you are often short-term discounts to mask higher rates. And the low rates they offer you are often teaser rates. They only last a short while and then they skyrocket.

Suppliers are intentionally vague in hopes you won't understand the long-term cost increase or aren't monitoring your electric bill closely. In fact, there are more than 26,000 PPL customers paying double the price of default energy.

I recently appeared in front of the Pennsylvania General Assembly to encourage our representatives to take steps to protect our customers from this type of deceptive marketing.

We’re committed to advocating for our customers. In the meantime, it’s critical you continue to shop smart. Read the fine print, be aware of deceptive marketing tactics and check your electric bill regularly to see how much you are being charged.

The time for change is now or Pennsylvania customers will continue paying the price. I encourage you to speak to your local officials to raise awareness about the consumer protections that are needed and continue to shop smart.

To learn more about how to check your electricity supply rate and make informed decisions, visit pplelectric.com/shopsmart today.

 

By: Greg Dudkin
Chief Operating Officer
PPL Corporation

 

 

 

 

Need help paying your bill? Visit pplelectric.com/billhelp.

 

PPL earns 2021 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award

We’re happy to report that we’ve been named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 2021 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. This award is the highest level of EPA recognition.

Just to be considered, ENERGY STAR partners have to show that their energy efficiency programs are performing at a superior level — demonstrating best practices, proving organization-wide energy savings, and communicating the benefits of energy efficiency.

In 2020, our residential energy efficiency programs helped our customers save more than 66,500 megawatt-hours. That’s the equivalent of removing more than 5,600 homes from the grid.*

Energy efficiency helps our customers save money on their electric bills, and it’s helping pave the way for a cleaner energy economy. That’s why we’re happy to accept this award.

Check out savewithppl.com for energy efficiency tools, tips and programs.

* Source: epa.gov

 

PPL Value: Smart innovation for reliable service

We’re committed to making smart investments in innovative solutions to deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers. Here’s the latest example:

Our team has been piloting a new technology called Dynamic Line Rating (DLR). DLR sensors give realtime information on conditions — like wind speed and line temperature — that affect the performance of our transmission lines. We can use that information to adjust the amount of electricity flowing over the lines in real-time. That decreases congestion and improves reliability.

Importantly, DLR helps us better understand how our transmission lines are performing, so we can also make proactive maintenance decisions. That will help us avoid costly and disruptive construction of new lines, so we can invest those dollars in projects that improve reliability and make our electric grid smarter and greener.

It's working. We’re one of the first companies to successfully use information from DLR sensors to avoid a transmission line rebuild on our Juniata-Cumberland and Harwood-Susquehanna 230kV lines. Now, we’re actively working on our next installations.

Stay tuned for updates on our use of DLR technology and other innovative investments that help us continue delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective solutions for you.

Pictured: PPL crew installing DLR censors on a transmission line.

 

Three tips for an efficient cooling season

Temperatures are starting to rise, and it’s the perfect time to prep your home for summer savings. Here are three easy starting points recommended by our friends at ENERGY STAR®.

1. Schedule an HVAC checkup. Go beyond cleaning your air filter this month and get your yearly system tune-up on the books to make sure you’re cooling your home efficiently.
2. Boost your comfort and control with a smart thermostat. ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostats let you control your home’s cooling right from your smartphone.
3. Seal and insulate your ducts to keep cool air inside. Feeling a different temperature from room to room? Duct sealing and insulation can improve the efficiency of your home cooling system by up to 20 percent.*

Follow these simple steps to save energy and money, and to make your home more comfortable so you can make your feel-good summer last.

* Source: energystar.gov