Avoid An Increase In Your Electric Bill

(NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - You may have noticed your electricity bill has jumped up in the past few months; and if you haven't, you may be in for a surprise on June 1.

Duquesne Light's Senior Communications Specialist Brian Knavish joined Larry Richert and John Shumway on the KDKA Morning News to talk about why prices are going up and how you can avoid it.

Knavish wants to be sure consumers are aware of what exactly Duquesne Light does.

"We own the poles and the wires and we bring the electricity to your home," says Knavish. "Duquesne Light doesn't generate electricity."

"Customers are encouraged to shop and buy electricity from whatever generation company they choose," says Knavish.

If you don't shop around for a generation company, Duquesne Light provides a "default service [where we] go on the open market and buy electricity and pass it along to our customers."

Knavish adds the current agreement is up and a new one starts in June.

The reason for the high cost of energy is the severity of the past winter. Knavish compares the price of electricity to gas prices, and says it fluctuate.

The average costumer for Duquesne Light who hasn't chosen their own electric supplier will see roughly a $9 or 11 percent a month increase.

If you're a West Penn Power customer and haven't found your own supplier, you will see a 51 percent increase. The reason for this is because of the amount West Penn Power had to pay for electricity. They are recouping money they already spent.

It isn't too late to shop for electricity. You can go to www.papowerswitch.com

Listen to Duquesne Light's Brian Knavish On Bill Increases

Listen to the KDKA Morning News with Larry Richert and John Shumway weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA.