Penelec says testing found mall meter and transformer working properly in billing probe

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Earlier this year, we reported that the owner of the Johnstown Galleria saw the mall’s electric bill almost double.

On Thursday, our Stace Landrum spoke to the mall owner, as well as Penelec, for an update on the situation.

Mall owner Leo Karruli says that Penelec reportedly sent out a crew to check the transformers, and other electrical equipment, at the mall, making sure that everything was working properly.

In a written statement, the electric company said, “we take billing concerns very seriously. Our team conducted comprehensive testing of the meters and electrical equipment serving the mall. Our testing confirmed the meter and transformer were functioning properly, and we communicated that to the customer. It’s important to note that our investigation showed no equipment problems contributed to the billing concerns.”

Penelec believes that the mall was benefiting from lower rates in the past due to a third party power supplier.

Karruli says he recently signed up with a new third party electricity supply company and is already seeing savings.

“He’s given me better because I went from 105,000 I was paying, now I pay 81,000.”

Penelec says it remains committed to working closely with customers to address questions they may have in their service and billing.