Press Release

PUC Schedules Public Input Hearing for Rate Increase Request by Columbia Gas

Published on 5/21/2018

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a public input hearing to gather comments on the distribution rate increase request filed by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. (Columbia Gas).

The hearing, conducted by PUC Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Watson, will be held at the following location and time:

Thursday, June 21, 2018
6:00 P.M.
Courthouse Square Building
100 West Beau Street
Washington, PA 15301   
 

Rate Increase Request

On April 5, 2018, the Commission voted to investigate the Columbia Gas request, which would increase annual revenues by $46.9 million (8.16 percent). Under that proposal, the average total monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 70 therms of gas per month would increase from $91.63 to $99.88 per month (9 percent). Columbia Gas also proposes to increase the current monthly residential customer charge from $16.75 to $18.25.

Columbia Gas provides natural gas service to about 426,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in portions of 26 counties in western, northwestern, central and southern Pennsylvania.

A final decision by the Commission must be made by Dec. 15, 2018.
 

Offering Comment at a Hearing

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Their testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC and Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate, 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.

Any person with special needs wishing to attend the hearing may call the PUC scheduling office (717-787-1399) at least five (5) business days prior to the hearing to make arrangements. For persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired, the AT&T Relay Service number is 1-800-654-5988.

More information on the PUC ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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Docket No.: R-2018-2647577

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov