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Electric-bill complaints still rising in Pa.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says the volume of complaints about spiking electricity bills continues to rise, and two suppliers account for more than half of the grievances.

An ice covered utility line blocks the path of a firetruck after a winter storm Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, in Philadelphia.   Icy conditions have knocked out power to more than 200,000 electric customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and prompted school and legislative delays as well as speed reductions on major roadways.  (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
An ice covered utility line blocks the path of a firetruck after a winter storm Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014, in Philadelphia. Icy conditions have knocked out power to more than 200,000 electric customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and prompted school and legislative delays as well as speed reductions on major roadways. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)Read more

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says the volume of complaints about spiking electricity bills continues to rise, and two suppliers account for more than half of the grievances.

The PUC received 2,580 high-bill complaints through Friday, more than it received all of last year, said spokeswoman Jennifer Kocher. Wholesale electricity prices spiked during the cold weather in January, and some suppliers quadrupled their rates to customers on variable rates.

PUC Chairman Robert F. Powelson told a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last week that IDT Energy Inc. and Pennsylvania Gas and Electric had more complaints than other suppliers. Kocher said the two accounted for more than half of the complaints.

- Andrew Maykuth