All But One Pennsylvania Utility See Loss of Residential Customers on Competitive Supply in Most Recent Week

Pennsylvania saw a statewide decrease in residential electric shopping in the most recent week, departing from the general trend of growth (driven by the FirstEnergy EDCs) over the summer, but one which may settle in for some time as Prices to Compare become more competitive at a number of utilities on September 1.

Specifically, at the 7 largest EDCs, the state saw the number of residential electric customers on competitive supply decrease by 1,000 customers from July 31 to August 6 (reporting date varies slightly by utility). That compares to growth of 560 residential shoppers in the immediately prior week.

More disturbing is that in the most recent week, every EDC except Met-Ed (and Duquesne Light, which per the listed data had no change in residential shopping) saw a decline in residential shopping. In contrast, the prior week had seen only PECO and Duquesne Light lose residential shoppers, as PPL had recorded its first residential shopping growth since February.

Specifically, from about July 31 to August 6 (reporting date varies slightly by utility) the weekly change in the number of residential customers on competitive supply was:

Duquesne Light            0 (per listed data)
Met-Ed                  369
PECO                   (931)
Penelec                 (59)
Penn Power              (35)
PPL                    (188)
West Penn Power        (155)

For comparison, from about July 24 to July 30 (reporting date varies slightly by utility) the weekly change in the number of residential customers on competitive supply was:

Duquesne Light         (214)
Met-Ed                  497
PECO                   (819)
Penelec                 541
Penn Power               65
PPL                      44
West Penn Power         448