Lehigh Valley Power Up: Your Electricity Bills Are Changing

Heads up, Lehigh Valley! If you're a PPL or Met-Ed customer, there's a significant change coming to your electricity bill, and it’s right around the corner. We’re talking about an increase in the cost of the actual electricity you consume, slated to take effect on December 1, 2025. Believe it or not, this isn't just a minor tweak; it’s a substantial shift that could impact your household budget, and frankly, it’s always good to be prepared.

Let's dive into the specifics, shall we? This upcoming change specifically targets the "generation" portion of your bill. Now, what does that even mean? Simply put, the generation charge is what you pay for the electricity itself – the actual power that flows into your home. It's distinct from the "delivery" charge, which covers the cost of getting that electricity from the power grid to your house. Good news there, the delivery charges aren’t part of this particular increase, so that’s one less thing to worry about for now.

For those of you served by PPL, your "Price to Compare" for generation is set to rise from 12.008 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 12.871 cents per kWh. That's a jump of about 7.19% in the generation rate. To put it another way, for every unit of electricity you use, you’ll be paying a bit more to PPL for the energy itself. It’s a noticeable uptick, and one that most families will certainly feel.

And if Met-Ed is your electricity provider, you’re looking at a similar situation. Your generation "Price to Compare" will be moving from 10.37 cents per kWh to 11.08 cents per kWh. This translates to an increase of roughly 6.85% for the generation component of your bill. Again, it's not a small percentage, and it adds up, especially during those colder months when heating systems are running full tilt, or hot summer days with the AC blasting.

So, what can you do about it? Well, here’s where being an informed consumer truly pays off. The "Price to Compare" is essentially the default rate you pay if you don't choose an alternative electricity supplier. But you absolutely have the power to shop around! Pennsylvania's deregulated energy market means you're not stuck with your utility's generation rate. You can actually select a different company to supply your electricity, often at a potentially lower fixed rate for a specific contract period.

A fantastic resource for this is the PA Power Switch website. Think of it as your personal marketplace for electricity. You can go there, enter your ZIP code, and compare offers from various licensed suppliers side-by-side. It’s a straightforward process, letting you see different rates, contract lengths, and even renewable energy options. It really does empower you to take control of a significant portion of your electricity expenses.

Our advice? Don’t wait until your December bill arrives with an unwelcome surprise. Take a few minutes, head over to PA Power Switch, and explore your options. Even a small saving per kilowatt-hour can make a difference over the course of a year, especially when facing these rising costs. Understanding your "Price to Compare" and actively seeking out competitive rates is probably the smartest move you can make right now. Stay proactive, Lehigh Valley, and keep those energy costs in check!