'Life is becoming unaffordable': Residents oppose PPL's proposed rate hike at hearing in Catasauqua

CATASAUQUA, Pa. — They brought increased energy to protest an energy increase.

One by one, 15 residents of Catasauqua and neighboring municipalities stepped to the microphone at the municipal building Tuesday to express opposition to PPL Electric Utilities’ proposed rate increase.

“You practically have a monopoly,” Kyle Gardner of Emmaus, a PPL customer, said of the proposed residential customer increase that would average 7%.

“You have to look at your customers and make better decisions. Maybe you need to look at management before you look at hardworking families.”

The hearing was conducted by Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Christopher P. Pell and Administrative Law Judge Barbara Shadie Nause, both of the state Public Utility Commission.

The public hearing, among five in-person and two via telephone being conducted throughout central and eastern Pennsylvania this month, was organized by the PUC.

PPL Electric Utilities, which provides electricity to about 1.5 million customers in 29 counties in eastern and central Pennsylvania, in September filed notice of its intention to hike its rates, effective Dec. 1, in an effort to generate an annual revenue increase of $356.3 million.

The PUC in October voted unanimously to suspend the proposed rate increase and conduct an investigation.

The investigation staves off PPL rate increases for up to seven months for the PUC to conduct public hearings and gather testimony from concerned stakeholders.

The commission will determine whether he rate hike proposal will be approved, rejected or modified. A decision will be made by July 7.

'Push more people into energy insecurity'

“You want to talk about fairness?” Barry McMickle, of Allentown, a retiree who spoke on behalf of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania, said at Tuesday's hearing.

“PPL’s earnings were $915 million for the first nine months of 2025," he said. "Customers shouldn’t have to subsidize shareholders’ profits.

“These rates will fall hardest on those on fixed incomes and seniors fighting to survive. This approval will push more people into energy insecurity.”

PPL says the rate increase is needed to improve customer service, reduce outages caused by extreme storms and strengthen its cybersecurity protections, among other needs.

PPL is seeking its first distribution rate increase since 2016, citing economic factors, with a typical monthly residential bill potentially increasing about $13, or 7%.

If approved, the total bill for a residential customer receiving default service from PPL Electric Utilities and using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity would increase from $191.49 to $204.86 per month, or by 6.98%.

The total bill for a commercial customer receiving default service from PPL Electric Utilities and using 1,000 kilowatt-hours with a maximum demand of three kilowatts would increase from $161.74 to $170.34 per month, or 5.31%.

The total bill for an industrial customer getting default service from PPL Electric Utilities and using 150,000 kilowatt-hours with a maximum demand of 500 kilowatts would increase from $19,965.77 to $20,480.18 per month, or 2.58%.

Utilities blamed for rising costs

Residential customers were outraged that their rate increases would be higher than those of commercial and industrial customers.

“Don’t raise rates until utilities cut costs,” said Bud Hackett of Bethlehem, who is self-employed and a PPL customer.

“The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office in August reported PPL’s price rose 16 percent, to 12 percent for PECO and 11 for Duquesne Light Co. Cost control before rate increases.”

Scott Ettinger, a retired resident of Macungie, pointed part of the problem at the top of the PPL executive pyramid.

"PPL's president [Vincent] Sorgi was paid [$9.9 million in 2024] in salaries, bonuses and stock awards," Ettinger said.

Melissa Moyer of Catasauqua said she is at her breaking point financially.

“I struggle as a single mother, with taxes and utility increases,” she said. "I oppose this increase."

Also voicing opposition to the proposed rate increases at the hearing were state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-133rd District, and Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure Jr.

“One of the issues facing residents who will be impacted by the hike is affordability and fairness,” McNeill said.

“There are rising costs of food, health insurance and utilities. Now they’re being asked to pay more to stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

"Affordability and fairness — two reasons why this shouldn’t be approved.”

'Life is becoming unaffordable'

The Lehigh Valley is experiencing a significant rise in its cost of living, primarily driven by soaring housing costs (rents up 44%, home prices up 63% in five years).

Also contributing is increasing expenses for essentials, causing nearly half of regional families to struggle to make ends meet, according to recent reports from 2024-25.

That's fueled by rapid development and population growth, putting pressure on housing supply, with costs rising faster than wages for many residents.

“There’s a widow in Catasauqua wondering how she can pay property taxes, pay for her medications and ever-increasing utilities,” McClure said.

“With rising prices, a trip to the grocery store brings anxiety. Life is becoming unaffordable. This rate increase should not be approved.”

The PUC also held an in-person hearing Monday in Scranton.

Other scheduled public hearings will be today, Wednesday, Dec. 10 in Harrisburg; Thursday, Dec. 11 in Lancaster; and Thursday, Dec. 18 in Wilkes-Barre.

On Monday, Dec. 15, two public hearings will be held by telephone — at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. The toll-free number is 866-421-8851 and a PIN number 66640466.

Registration is required to testify during the telephone hearings by phone (215-560-4228) or at pmcneal@pa.gov by 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11.