High Pa. electric bill complaints keep growing

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The number of complaints about unexpected and steep increases in electricity bills in Pennsylvania continues to grow.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission said it had received 2,580 complaints from Jan. 1 through Friday. That's up from 750 less than two weeks ago. Spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher says the agency had received 235 complaints over the same period last year.

The utility commission and the State Attorney General's Office say they're looking into the complaints. They say it predominantly affects people who signed variable-rate contracts with competitive electricity suppliers that then passed on wholesale prices driven up by cold weather.

The utility commission doesn't regulate the suppliers' rates, but it does regulate their conduct and marketing practices. The Attorney General's Office is trying to determine if anyone's been overcharged.

WPXI