HARRISBURG, PA—AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh said today that the organization opposes new legislation that will raise electricity rates for consumers to subsidize the state’s nuclear power providers.
Johnston-Walsh said the legislation will unfairly raise rates for Pennsylvania utility customers to pay for electric power delivered to customers in 12 other states. The state’s nuclear plants currently sell electricity to the regional power grid which supplies 13 states, including Pennsylvania.
He added that Pennsylvania electric utility customers should not be forced to pay higher rates to benefit corporations already making millions in profits. Four out of five nuclear power generators in Pennsylvania are profitable according to their owners – and were projected to make a profit of more than $600 million, according to PJM Interconnection’s Independent Market Monitor.
“Pennsylvania utility customers expect to pay fair and reasonable prices for electricity – and not a dollar more,” said Johnston-Walsh. “Our residents expect their elected leaders to protect their interests above the interests of already profitable nuclear power companies.”
Johnston-Walsh said AARP will continue to fight any proposed nuclear bailout legislation in the General Assembly.
About AARP
AARP has 1.8 million members in Pennsylvania. Follow AARP Pennsylvania on Facebook at AARPPA and on Twitter @AARPPA.
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit http://www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.
CONTACT:
Steve Gardner, AARP PA
(717) 237-6481 or Sgardner@aarp.org
Or Jacklyn Isasi, AARP PA
(267) 825-9928 or Jisasi@aarp.org
