Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Rate Increase than Requested by Peoples Natural Gas

Published on 10/3/2019

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint petition for Partial Settlement that reduces a base rate increase request filed by Peoples Natural Gas (Peoples Gas).

The Commission voted 4-0 to approve the Joint Petition for Partial Settlement, which approves a lower increase than originally requested by Peoples Gas. The Commission approved an increase in annual operating revenues of $59.5 million (8.92%). The Peoples Gas request, filed on Jan. 28, 2019, would have increased its operating revenues by approximately $94.9 million per year (14%).

Commissioner Andrew G. Place issued a statement related to the companies’ plans to withdraw their energy efficiency and conservation program, encouraging the companies to file a revised plan, and requesting future reporting around the company’s revised service extension policy.

The settlement combines the rates of the Company’s Peoples and Equitable Divisions.  Under the settlement, the average monthly bill for a residential customer in the Peoples Division would increase from $74.24 to $79.84, an increase of $5.60 or 7.5%, and that of Equitable Division would increase from $70.79 to $79.84, an increase of $9.05 or 12.8%, for an average residential monthly bill of $79.84 for both divisions. 

Public input hearings to gather comments about the Peoples Gas rate increase were held in the utility’s service area.  Peoples Gas provides service to more than 622,000 residents and businesses in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

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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R-2018-3006818

Contact:

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