Burns votes ‘yes’ to cut utility bills and protect consumers
Rep. Frank Burns June 22, 2026 | 4:13 PM
HARRISBURG, June 22 – Knowing families are struggling under high utility costs, Rep. Frank Burns cast his vote to lower utility costs for Pennsylvania consumers by reforming how investor-owned utilities earn profits.
“This bill is all about affordability,” said Burns, D-Cambria. “Families need relief from skyrocketing energy costs and this bill will do that while also sending a clear message to utility companies that they can’t line their pockets at the expense of ratepayers.”
Over the last five years, Pennsylvania ratepayers have seen an average 60% increase in their utility bills. Meanwhile, electricity shutoffs increased by 21.3% between 2024 and 2025.
Burns said that utilities are charging more than necessary in order to increase profits. One of the biggest drivers of rate hikes is the level of profit utility shareholders can receive, known as the return on equity. Pennsylvania has one of the highest ROE rates in the country, even though utilities are guaranteed a virtual monopoly by service region.
The bill (H.B. 2224) would create a default, formula-based return on equity for investor-owned utilities that reflects the true market-based cost of equity, rather than increasing rates to generate profits for shareholders.
“Enactment of this bill would reduce electric rates and save ratepayers about $150 a year and reform how utility rates are calculated to hold companies accountable so we’re all paying what is necessary for safe, reliable utility service and not one penny more,” Burns said.
The bill now moves to the state Senate for consideration.