Electric rates could go up by request of FirstEnergy

An official with FirstEnergy said energy rates going up is not a done deal, but they are looking to have the prices raised next January.

This would be the first time Penelec has raised its base rate since 2017 according to a spokesman Todd Meyers.

Companies like Penelec and West Penn Power cannot just raise their rates according to Meyers. He said they must request that change to the p-a public utility commission.

Meyers said they will need to go through hearings looking to convince a board of people with the PUC, and there will also be public input including public meetings. He said they could approve the whole request, part of it, or none of it.

If the request is approved the bill for residents would go up about 10 percent, between $16-$20 a month according to officials.

They said inflation does play a role in making the request, along with several goals the company has.

Meyers said that first energy is looking to nearly double the amount they're spending on trimming trees to avoid them taking down wires.

He said they are also looking to convert about 85 thousand streetlights to LED, increase the frequency of inspections to their equipment, and improve the power grid with automated technologies.

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