Met-Ed rate hike could push PA summer bills above $200

By AI, Created 3:50 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Met-Ed’s price-to-compare rate rises June 1, and PAEnergyRatings.com says some Pennsylvania customers could see summer electric bills top $200 a month. The group is urging Met-Ed and other FirstEnergy customers to lock in a fixed-rate plan before the higher rates take effect.

Why it matters: - Met-Ed customers on the utility’s price-to-compare rate face higher summer power costs starting June 1. - PAEnergyRatings.com says the increase could push some Pennsylvania monthly electric bills above $200 during peak air-conditioning season. - Customers who switch to a fixed-rate supplier now could avoid paying the higher utility rate through the summer.

What happened: - Met-Ed’s price-to-compare rate rises June 1. - The new rate will stay in place until Dec. 1, 2026. - PAEnergyRatings.com urged Met-Ed and FirstEnergy customers on the utility’s price-to-compare rate to shop for a retail electricity provider immediately. - The organization said Reading electricity rates will rise from 12.965 cents per kWh to 13.951 cents per kWh. - FirstEnergy Pennsylvania utilities besides Met-Ed will also see increases: Penelec rates rise 12%, Penn Power 7.5%, and West Penn 10%.

The details: - The rate increase stems from PJM capacity auction prices set last summer. - Those auction prices take effect June 1. - The PJM maximum capped rate reached $329.17 per megawatt-day, about 22% higher than last summer. - Met-Ed’s price-to-compare rate climbs 7.6%. - PAEnergyRatings.com said many fixed-rate plans currently offer prices below Met-Ed’s upcoming rate of about 14 cents per kWh. - The group said customers can protect themselves from price increases by locking in a fixed-rate plan. - July 2025 was the hottest month on record in Pennsylvania. - Average electricity usage reached 1,084 kWh that month. - Based on last year’s usage and NOAA climate information, analysts at PAEnergyRatings.com estimated summer Met-Ed bills could exceed $200. - That estimate includes about $151 in supply charges and $67 in Met-Ed distribution charges.

Between the lines: - Pennsylvania summer heat drives heavier electricity use, especially for air conditioning. - In places such as Reading, Bethlehem and York, heat-retaining pavement, concrete and brick can keep neighborhoods warmer into the night. - The timing matters because the higher utility rate starts as cooling demand typically peaks. - Karl Trollinger, CEO of Electricity Ratings, said consumers are facing large PJM auction price swings and can compare PA electric suppliers when the utility price-to-compare rate is not the best option.

What’s next: - Met-Ed customers on variable utility supply should compare fixed-rate offers before June 1. - Customers who wait could pay the higher price throughout the summer. - The current Met-Ed price-to-compare rate remains in effect until Dec. 1, so supplier choices made now could shield customers from future increases as well. - More information is available in the full article.

The bottom line: - The upcoming Met-Ed increase makes now the key window for Pennsylvania customers to lock in a lower fixed electricity rate before summer bills rise.