While the company has not yet had an opportunity for a complete review of the 50-page state Public Utility Commission report on competition in the state's electric utility industry, Pennsylvania Power & Light Co.'s chairman said Wednesday (7/3) the report represents an important step forward.
"The PUC's endorsement of customer choice for the state's electricity consumers — by a 5-0 vote — is a significant and positive development," said William F. Hecht, PP&L's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
"The PUC commission and its staff undertook a thorough examination and have fashioned a workable process for moving forward on the very complex challenge of restructuring the state's electric utility industry," said Hecht. "In compiling this report, the commission has done a careful job of balancing the interests of many constituents who have very strongly held views.
"At PP&L, we are convinced that allowing customers to choose their electricity supplier will result in substantial savings for consumers and an improved business climate in the commonwealth," said Hecht.
Hecht said that PP&L supports a swift transition to a competitive electric supply marketplace. "We support a timetable that would provide all customers with an opportunity to choose their energy supplier before the end of this decade," said Hecht.
"We are committed to working with the commission to meet the challenges that lie ahead in the effort to bring customer choice to Pennsylvania as soon as possible," said Hecht.
PP&L has taken a leadership position on customer choice at the state and national level. The Allentown-based company has testified in favor of a more competitive marketplace during the PUC hearings that led to Wednesday's report and before the state House Consumer Affairs Committee. The company also is a charter member of the Partnership for Customer Choice, a national group of seven electric utilities that is supporting swift passage of federal legislation on providing customers with the opportunity to choose their electricity supplier.