GPU Energy's January Bills Will Reflect End of Rate Reduction.

Business Editors

READING, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 29, 1999

A temporary, 12-month rate reduction that GPU Energy's Pennsylvania customers enjoyed during 1999 will end December 31.

The temporary reduction meant average savings of 2.5 percent for GPU Energy's Metropolitan Edison customers and average savings of 3 percent for GPU Energy's Pennsylvania Electric customers.

On January 1, higher rates will be effective for customers of both companies. The new rates are at the same level they were in December 1998, before the temporary reduction began.

The rate reduction was part of the 1998 restructuring settlements for GPU Energy that introduced customer choice in electricity in the company's service territory.

The rate change, which affects all customers, is reflected in the distribution charges shown on GPU Energy bills. Bills sent to customers in January will be prorated to reflect electric usage at the different rates.

For a Met-Ed residential customer (Rate RS) using 500 kilowatt-hours a month, the end of the temporary reduction will mean a monthly increase in charges of $1.14. For a Penelec residential customer (Rate RS) with the same usage, the monthly increase will be $1.34.

In the Pennsylvania Electric Choice Program, all GPU Energy customers have the opportunity to choose their electric generation supplier. For information on how to shop for a supplier, see the Electric Choice web site at www.electrichoice.com or the GPU site at www.gpu.com, or call the Electric Choice hotline toll-free at 1-888-782-3228.