Press Release

PUC Announces Public Input Hearings for PECO Rate Increase Request

Published on 7/9/2008

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled three hearings to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase by PECO Energy Co. for its gas distribution service.

        Administrative Law Judge Marlane R. Chestnut will conduct the hearings at:

        4 p.m. -  7 p.m., Tuesday, July 22, 2008

        Chester County  Courthouse

        Courtroom 1

        2 North High St.

        West Chester, PA 19380

        4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2008

        Norristown Borough Hall

        235 East Airy St.

        Norristown, PA 19401

        4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008

        Bucks County Community College

        Newtown Campus

        Library Auditorium

        275 Swamp Rd.

        Newtown, PA 18940

The company is proposing an annual revenue increase of $98.3 million (11.2 percent) for gas distribution services.  The proposal would increase the monthly bill for an average customer using 8 Mcf per month from $118.03 a month to $130.82 a month (10.8 percent).

According to the company’s filing, the proposed increase is needed to invest in the natural gas infrastructure to ensure safe and reliable service.  The proposed gas distribution system improvements include 25 capacity expansion projects, such as replacing smaller underground mains with larger diameter pipe to allow for increased load and increasing distribution pressure.  The company will also complete 86 projects to replace older cast iron and bare steel distribution lines.  The company’s last base rate increase was in April of 1987.

PECO Energy provides gas services to approximately 439,924 residential and 41,314 commercial and industrial customers in portions of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster and Montgomery counties.

The PUC and Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents residential customers in cases before the Commission, offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

• Sign in to testify when you arrive.  The judge will call witnesses to speak from the order they have signed in.
• 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.
• If you have a written statement or other papers you want to provide as evidence, please bring copies with you for the Administrative Law Judge, court reporter and other active participants in the case. 
• Your testimony will not become part of the record in the case unless you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is truthful.
• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

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-2008-2028394

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov