(WHTM) – FirstEnergy Pennsylvania says it will propose a rate increase with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission totaling more than $500 million.

FirstEnergy, which operates Met-Ed, Penn Power, Penelec, and West Penn Power, says the proposed increase would increase users’ bills in the range of $16.61 to $21.30  per month on average for those using 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month.

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The company says this is the first rate increase they’ve asked for since 2016 and, if approved, changes could begin to more than two million customer’s bills on June 1, 2024.

Customers can discuss the rate changes during the PUC’s public comment periods.

The company outlined proposed rate changes for each of its subsidiaries:

• Met-Ed has requested an increase of $146 million. If approved, the total bill for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase 9.2% or $17.31 for a new monthly total bill of $205. The bill for a commercial customer using 40 kilowatts (KW) for 250 hours would increase 3.9% or $57.61 for a total bill of $1,523.59. The bill for an industrial customer using 20 megawatts (MW) for 474 hours would increase by 0.5% or $4,958.02 for a total bill of $922,490.44.

• Penelec has requested an increase of $132 million. If approved, the total bill for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase 9.8% or $19.79 for a new monthly total bill of $220.75. The bill for a commercial customer using 40 KW for 250 hours would increase 4.4% or $66.52 for a total bill of $1,576.49. The bill for an industrial customer using 20 MW for 474 hours would increase by 1.8% or $9,806.10 for a total bill of $558,069.72.

• Penn Power has requested an increase of $55 million. If approved, the total bill for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase 11.8% or $21.30 for a new monthly total bill of $201.88. The bill for a commercial customer using 40 KW for 250 hours would increase 4.1% or $61.05 for a total bill of $1,549.85. The bill for an industrial customer using 20 MW for 474 hours would increase by 0.7% or $2,764.34 for a total bill of $373,144.37.

• West Penn has requested an increase of $169 million. If approved, the total bill for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month would increase 10.6% or $16.61 for a new monthly total bill of $172.98. The bill for a commercial customer using 40 KW for 250 hours would increase 4.6% or $61.03 for a total bill of $1,374.25. The bill for an industrial customer using 20 MW for 474 hours would increase by 0.3% or $1,917.74 for a total bill of $642,064.14.

FirstEnergy says the rate increase is needed for technological updates and maintenance needs.

Scott Wyman, President of FirstEnergy’s Pennsylvania Operations: “Continued investments in a smart, modern energy grid coupled with an expanded vegetation management program that targets trees threatening our equipment will help us deliver on our commitment to providing dependable electricity to homes, businesses and communities. The work we are doing makes a positive difference – installation of new equipment coupled with proactive tree trimming has helped reduce the frequency of electric service interruptions experienced by our Pennsylvania customers by 14 percent since 2019. This rate proposal balances the need to invest in the system while helping keep electric bills comparable to other utilities in the state.”

For more information about the proposed rate plan, FirstEnergy says customers can call 1-800-545-7741.

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