Nov. 6--A state Public Utility Commission public hearing on PPL's plan to soften the impact of anticipated rate hikes drew a sparse crowd Thursday night.

Beginning Jan. 1, rates for most PPL customers will jump 30 percent when state-imposed caps are lifted.

PPL Electric Utilities is asking the PUC to approve a plan that would lower rates for residential and business customers who agree to limit electricity use during high-demand hours. For most homeowners, peak hours under the plan would be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. fall through spring, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer.

At the hearing in Harrisburg, activist Eric Epstein, who has filed as a party to the PUC proceeding, said the plan can do "positive things" but needs refinement.

"It won't be available to stay-at-home mothers, seniors and people who work out of a home office," Epstein said.

Arthur Mann, manufacturing executive with Wrightsville foundry Donsco, was one of five PPL customers testifying.

His company discovered a hidden increase in the plan that would cost $250,000 a year by changing the basis for charging electricity distribution rates, Mann said.

Some witnesses -- including activist Gene Stilp, who wore a backpack made to look like an electric cord plug -- protested the pending rate hike instead of commenting on the time-of-use plan.

-----

To see more of The Patriot-News, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.patriot-news.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Patriot-News, Harrisburg, Pa.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.