Thursday, June 14

• 10 a.m.: Betsy Ross Conference Room, 801 Market Street 6th Floor, Philadelphia

• 6 p.m.: Kingdom Life Christian Center, 6325 Frankford Ave. Philadelphia

••• PECO filed a request with the Public Utility Commission March 29 for an $82 million — or 2.2 percent — increase in the rates it charges customers for the delivery of electricity. If approved as filed, the average total monthly bill for a residential customer using 700 kilowatt hours would increase from $102.65 to $105.93 per month — or 3.2 percent.

In April, the commission voted to investigate PECO’s request, which suspended the increase for up to seven months from the time the rate would have otherwise become effective. PECO’s requested effective date was May 28.

The Public Utility Commission and the Office of Consumer Advocate have offered tips on how consumers can participate in the hearings, including:

• Prepare what you are going to say beforehand. Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.

• Bring copies if you are attending an in-person hearing. If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, PECO delivers energy to more than 1.6 million electric customers and more than 516,000 natural gas customers in southeastern, Pennsylvania. For more information about the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission visit www.puc.pa.gov. Email business story ideas to business editor/ writer drovins@21stcenturymedia.com.