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One Electricity Supplier Offers Relief To Customers

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- After KDKA-TV first broke the story of skyrocketing electricity rates, suppliers have been on the hot seat.

Many have been unresponsive to consumer requests to adjust bills.

But not all suppliers are the same, Dave Paroline, a retiree in South Fayette, told KDKA money editor Jon Delano.

Delano: "Yesterday, you got something in the mail. What did you get?"

Paroline: "A check -- for $355."

That's right -- a $355 rebate from his electricity supplier, PG&E, or Pennsylvania Gas and Electric.

And that's not all.

"For the next three months, they're going to knock off 10 percent of my bill," said Paroline.

Like many consumers, Paroline's bill doubled even though his usage stayed the same.

So he called PG&E.

"I told him I was not staying with you, and he says, 'No, no, no, we're going to take care of you.'"

"We're working with customers that call us in order to help them with their bills, sometimes offering rebates, sometimes offering price adjustments going forward," said Doug Marcille, CEO of USG&E, the parent company of PG&E.

Marcille says PG&E will take a loss to help customers through what is an unusual weather situation.

"We understand in these extreme times that the prices that are calculated are often times very high and unexpected and to those customers that need some relief we are willing to work with them," Marcille said.

So hard-hit customers should call their supplier, and if you don't get help, Attorney General Kathleen Kane wants to hear from you.

In a statement issued Wednesday, Kane noted: "These spikes in the price of electricity are alarming and have put many consumers, especially the poor and elderly, in a dire situation. We are looking at these price increases and will be prepared to take action to protect affected consumers."

RELATED LINKS:
As Electric Bills Skyrocket, Local Legislator Calls For Action (2/21/14)
More Consumer News
More Reports by Jon Delano

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