Press Release

PUC Approves Gas Rates for Bradford County and Pike County Natural Gas Cos

Published on 8/18/2010

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted unanimously to approve changes to the Gas Cost Rates (GCR) for Valley Energy, Inc. and Pike CountyLight & Power.

Valley Energy, a natural gas distribution company located in Sayre, Bradford County, will see the new total gas billing rate decrease $0.9005 per Mcf from $5.4868 per Mcf  to $4.5863 per Mcf  (16.4%).  The average bill for a residential customer using 80 Mcf per year will decrease $72.

Pike County Light & Power (Pike) provides gas service to over 4,000 customers in eastern Pike County. The new gas billing rate will increase $1.3522 per Mcf, from $5.2374 per Mcf to $6.5896 per Mcf (25.8%).  The average bill for a residential customer using 80 Mcf per year will increase $108.

The new rates for both companies become effective with service rendered on and after Sept. 1, 2010.

Smaller natural gas utilities file for changes to their GCR annually.  In doing so, the utility companies recalculate rates to reflect price projections for natural gas during the upcoming twelve-month GCR period, and include a reconciliation of undercollections or overcollections resulting from differences in actual sales and actual gas costs from prior projections

The Commission has the ability to make adjustments in the annual GCR proceeding and order refunds to customers if the utility is found to have acted imprudently.

Gas utilities are required to provide reliable natural gas service at the least possible cost.  Every natural gas utility company is audited annually by the PUC to ensure the GCR they are passing on to their consumers reflects the costs the company paid and that every effort was made to purchase the natural gas for the least possible price.

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.

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Docket Numbers M-2010-2190553 (Valley Energy); M-2010-2191730 (Pike County L&P)

Contact:

• Press Secretary
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