Press Release

PUC Approves $13.1 Million Refund for UGI Central Penn Customers

Published on 11/19/2009

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a $13.1 million refund for UGI Central Penn Gas Inc. customers.

The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the one-time credit for all customers who received service between Dec. 1, 2008, and Nov. 30, 2009. The amount received by each customer will vary depending on the usage at that time. According to UGI Central Penn’s filing, the overcollection resulted from a large, sustained reduction in natural gas prices.

Those customers will receive a one-time credit on their bills during the January 2010 billing cycle. UGI Central Penn provides natural gas service to approximately 77,000 customers in 35 counties of Pennsylvania

Local natural gas utilities are required to provide reliable natural gas service at the least possible cost – the purchased gas cost rate (PGC). The Commission monitors natural gas companies to ensure the PGC rate they are passing on to the consumers reflects the costs they paid and that every effort was made to purchase the gas for the least possible price.

Natural gas utilities file for annual PGC prices for the supply of natural gas, which reflects the price paid by the utility for natural gas, reconciled with actual sales and costs from previous gas cost projections. By law, the utility cannot make a profit by charging consumers more than what it pays for the natural gas. Because the natural gas markets do fluctuate, the natural gas companies may adjust their PGC rates quarterly.

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 website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

# # #

Docket No. P-2009-2139177

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722