Electricity prices will rise for PPL customers

(Allentown) -- Summer means higher electricity prices nearly across the board. But one utility is backtracking after initially predicting prices would fall.

PPL initially indicated its so-called “price to compare” would decrease for the third quarter of this year, from June to August.

The figure can vary from quarter to quarter, while other electricity suppliers offer a fixed term contract with a guaranteed price.

Bryan Hay, a PPL spokesperson, says its preliminary price should be taken as such, a preliminary estimate.

"We do post a preliminary price but it's important to keep in mind that is purely preliminary and that can change based on auction results and sometimes the actual price to compare is higher than our estimate and sometimes its lower."

At PApowerswitch.com, utilities list information about future prices.

"The last auction in April was based on spot market prices so prices received in that auction were higher and that led to the change in our actual price to compare," says Hay.

This week, 33 utilities serving P-P-L's customers offered lower prices, although some were variable, meaning they could change.

PPL says it encourages customers to shop around for the best price.

Switching from one supplier to another can take between 11 and 40 days.

Penn Power, PECO, Met Ed, West Penn all are raising prices starting June 1st.