Sept. 10, 2026
— Jeff Ward, Lehigh Valley News Briefs
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will review how rates are set as the regulator responds to inflation, data-center development and concerns about the reliability of the electricity supply.
“The world around our utility system is changing, and our regulatory processes cannot simply stand still,” PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank said in a press release.
The utility regulator will create a Ratemaking Working Group to “to examine potential improvements to longstanding ratemaking processes – with an initial focus on return on equity (ROE), transparency in rate case settlements and the methodology used to establish returns associated with Distribution System Improvement Charges (DSIC).”
The DSIC, according to PPL Corp., “enables utilities to recover the costs of eligible investments to repair, replace, or improve aging infrastructure, so they can continue providing customers with safe, adequate, and reliable electric service.”
Allentown-based PPL has raised its distribution charge and default electricity price (the rate charged people who don’t shop via PaPowerSwitch.com) this year.
I don’t think the term Ratemaking Working Group is going to inspire a lot of confidence, but perhaps the results of the review will be more attention-getting than the name.
From the PUC: “The review is not intended to overturn longstanding ratemaking principles or eliminate established financial tools. Rather, it will examine whether Pennsylvania’s regulatory processes can be modernized to better reflect changing economic and utility-sector conditions while balancing customer affordability with the need for continued investment in safe and reliable utility infrastructure.”
They are right that things are changing fast, and a lot of customers don’t like it.
Here’s a link to the PUC statement and below is a cut-and-paste version:
PUC Launches Review of Utility Ratemaking to Address Affordability, Transparency and Changing Economic Conditions
Published on 9/10/2026
Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater
New working group will examine return on equity, rate case transparency and opportunities to modernize regulatory processes
HARRISBURG – Against a backdrop of rising utility costs, growing affordability concerns and significant changes across Pennsylvania’s utility sectors, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today launched a broad examination of key elements of the state’s utility ratemaking process.
The Commission voted 5-0 to approve a motion by Chairman Steve DeFrank, directing the creation of a Ratemaking Working Group (RWG) to examine potential improvements to longstanding ratemaking processes – with an initial focus on return on equity (ROE), transparency in rate case settlements and the methodology used to establish returns associated with Distribution System Improvement Charges (DSIC).
“The world around our utility system is changing, and our regulatory processes cannot simply stand still,” Chairman DeFrank said. “Our responsibility is to make sure every dollar recovered from customers is carefully scrutinized while ensuring utilities can make the prudent investments necessary to provide safe, reliable service. This is about examining whether our ratemaking processes can be more efficient, transparent and effective – while balancing affordability with the infrastructure investment Pennsylvania needs.”
The initiative comes as utilities and consumers confront a rapidly changing landscape that includes inflation, increased customer arrearages, supply chain constraints, infrastructure needs, data center development and electric reliability concerns – factors that have increased pressure on utility costs and contributed to a significant number of proposed rate increases.
Examining Opportunities for Modernization
The Ratemaking Working Group will bring together consumer advocates, utilities, policymakers, financial experts and other stakeholders to develop recommendations for Commission consideration.
Among the issues identified for initial review are:
- Return on Equity: Whether ROE issues could be addressed through periodic, sector-specific cost-of-capital proceedings rather than litigated separately in individual utility rate cases, along with consideration of utility performance measures such as reliability, safety and water quality.
- Rate Case Transparency: Ways to provide greater public clarity about important financial metrics, including ROE and equity capitalization, when utility rate cases are resolved through settlements.
- DSIC Methodology: Whether a more formula-based approach using objective economic measures could increase transparency and predictability in establishing the ROE used for Distribution System Improvement Charges.
PUC Vice Chair Kimberly Barrow, in a separate statement, outlined additional questions for the working group to consider, focusing on ROE and DSIC ROE, utility performance, market conditions and the resulting impacts on ratepayers.
Separating some complex financial issues from individual rate cases could also allow the Commission, consumer advocates and other parties to devote greater attention to utility capital investments, operating expenses, service quality, customer assistance programs and other issues that directly affect customers.
The review is not intended to overturn longstanding ratemaking principles or eliminate established financial tools. Rather, it will examine whether Pennsylvania’s regulatory processes can be modernized to better reflect changing economic and utility-sector conditions while balancing customer affordability with the need for continued investment in safe and reliable utility infrastructure.
Next Steps
The Ratemaking Working Group will be managed by the PUC’s Office of Executive Director and include representatives from consumer and small business advocates, utilities, state government and the General Assembly, industrial energy consumers, low-income advocates and other stakeholders. A Finance Subcommittee will provide additional perspectives from the credit ratings, investment banking and equity analyst communities.
Following publication of the Commission’s order formally establishing the working group in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, designated stakeholder groups will have 30 days to submit nominations, with the Commission announcing the full membership within 15 days after that deadline.
The working group will then begin developing its initial report and recommendations for Commission consideration.
About the PUC
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.
Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.
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Docket No.: M-2026-3064953
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