Press Release

PUC Conducts a Nonbinding Poll on the PPL Gas Base Rate Increase Request

Published on 1/26/2007

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today conducted a nonbinding poll on the issues related to the PPL Gas rate increase request. A final vote on the rate increase will take place at the Feb. 8, 2007, public meeting.

The nonbinding poll provides Commission staff with guidance on how to prepare an opinion and order for final Commission consideration. Vice Chairman James Cawley issued a statement.

The poll is designed to provide a mechanism for the Commission to discuss the contested issues of the case in a public forum. Commissioners base their findings on the record developed in the proceeding, testimony from the parties in the case, the recommended decision from the presiding Administrative Law Judge and the briefs and exceptions presented by the parties in the case.

On June 22, 2006, the Commission voted to investigate the PPL Gas request to increase base rates by about $12.8 million.  According to the company’s request, the annual bill for an average customer using 8 dekatherms of natural gas would increase by about $127 (7.1 percent).  The average annual residential bill would increase from about $1,796 to $1,923.

PPL Gas serves about 75,000 customers in 27 counties in Pennsylvania. Audio of today’s meeting is available at http://www.puc.state.pa.us/general/PMAudio.aspx

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. R-00061398

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