Client in Harrisburg just got hit with a new 'reliability enhancement charge' from PPL Electric. Started showing up in October - $340 per month on their largest facility. No explanation, no tariff sheet reference, just appears as a line item. PPL customer service claims it's for 'system improvements' but can't provide any documentation. Anyone else seeing this nonsense from PPL?
PPL mysterious 'reliability charge' - $340/month for nothing
Sylvia, that sounds like their distribution system improvement charge but they usually call it DSIC. $340 seems way high though - we typically see $50-150 range for commercial accounts. Demand to see the tariff page and calculation methodology. PPL has been playing fast and loose with these 'improvement' charges lately.
Walt's right about the DSIC but they have to file those charges with the Pennsylvania PUC. If they're calling it something different and can't show you the tariff, it's probably unauthorized. Georgia Power tried similar games with their 'grid enhancement fee' until we challenged it. File a complaint immediately.
I've got three PPL accounts in eastern Ohio and haven't seen this charge yet. But FirstEnergy tried something similar last year - turned out they were testing it on select customers to see if anyone would notice. Classic utility move. Document everything and demand written justification.
Called PPL this morning and they admitted there's no filed tariff for this charge. Rep said it was added 'in error' and would be removed from December bill. Yeah right - error my foot. They knew exactly what they were doing. How many customers just paid it without questioning?
Good catch Sylvia! This is exactly why we exist - to catch these billing scams before they become widespread. Ohio Edison pulled the same 'oops it was an error' line when we caught their fake storm recovery charge. File with the PUC anyway to make sure they don't try this again.
Connecticut Light & Power tried this exact same thing last month. They called it a 'system reliability surcharge' but had zero documentation. Took three weeks of fighting to get it removed. These utilities are definitely coordinating these billing schemes - too many coincidences.
Update: PPL removed the charge and credited back October and November. But they wouldn't put anything in writing about why it was there in the first place. I'm filing a PUC complaint anyway - this kind of 'testing' unauthorized charges should have consequences.
Smart move filing the complaint. Duke Energy tried similar games in the Carolinas until the NCUC started fining them for unauthorized charges. These utilities only understand financial consequences. Keep us posted on what the PUC says.
LG&E just started something they're calling a 'grid modernization assessment' - sounds like the same playbook. Going to challenge it immediately based on what you all found with PPL. These utilities think we're asleep at the wheel.
Jack, definitely challenge LG&E. Georgia Power's 'modernization' charges were bogus too - just another way to increase revenue without going through proper rate proceedings. The pattern is too obvious to ignore. We need to stay on top of these billing games.