Explored in this survey conducted by AARP’s Pennsylvania State Office about affordable electric rates and consumer protections are the views of Pennsylvania residents age 50+ on their experiences with electric utility services and how utility companies market their services.

Key findings presented in this survey demonstrate:

• Three-quarters of Pennsylvania residents age 50+ are concerned about the rising costs of electricity in their homes, and the majority believes their elected officials are not doing enough to lower these costs.

• Pennsylvania residents age 50+ are aware that state law allows them to choose their electricity provider and most understand the process for switching providers.

• Many Pennsylvania residents age 50+ have been contacted by electricity providers to try to get them to switch their electric company and most of these residents have been contacted by mail.

• The majority of Pennsylvania residents age 50+ opposes the proposal before the Public Utility Commission to change the “standard plan” and the change to state law allowing electric and gas companies to increase rates annually to pay for infrastructure improvements.

This survey of 800 interviews was fielded March 26 through April 1, 2012 yielding a margin of error of +3.5 percent.  For more information, contact Joanne Binette on (202) 434-6303.