The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled five hearings in June, including one in Media, and one in Norristown, to gather public input on a rate increase request filed by PECO Energy Co.

Under the request submitted by PECO, annual revenues would increase by $82 million (2.2 percent) and the average total monthly bill for a residential customer using 700 kilowatt hours would increase from $102.65 to $105.93 per month (3.2 percent), according to a press release.

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On April 19, the commission voted to suspend the increase for up to seven months and assigned the matter to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge, which assigned the matter to Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Christopher P. Pell and Administrative Law Judge F. Joseph Brady.

PECO provides electric services to approximately 1.6 million customers within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York counties.

A public hearing will be held June 6 at 6 p.m. at the large auditorium at Delaware County Community College in Media, and on June 7 at the Worchester Township Community Hall in Norristown.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Their testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC and Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate, including:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand. Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.

• Bring copies if you are attending an in-person hearing. If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

Any person with special needs wishing to attend the hearing may call the PUC scheduling office (717-787-1399) at least five business days prior to the hearing to make arrangements. For persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired, the AT&T Relay Service number is 1-800-654-5988.

If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearings, they will make every reasonable effort to have an interpreter present. Please call the scheduling office at the Public Utility Commission at least 10 business days prior to your hearing to submit your request.

More information on the PUC ratemaking process is available on the commission’s website: www.puc.state.pa.us.

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