Rate Caps

Once a month, I scribble out a check to Met-Ed with the knowledge that my electric rates rank among some of the lowest in the nation. Thank the state's decision to restructure its electricity market along with rate caps for my piece of mind. However, like most expenses, affordable electric rates in this area look to be coming to an abrupt end. On Dec. 31, 2010, Met-Ed's rate cap will expire threatening to push bill increases into the double digits. Some state lawmakers have proposed measures that would extend utility rate caps by two years. Other lawmakers and utilities contend that extending the rate caps would simply postpone inevitable jumps in monthly payments. Are you concerned that you may not be able to afford a jump in electric rates? What are you doing, if anything, to prepare for such increases?