Press Release

PUC Approves Lower Rate Increase than Requested by Columbia Gas

Published on 8/18/2010

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to approve a settlement approving a lower rate increase than requested by Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc.

              The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the settlement, which was agreed to by the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the PUC’s Office of Trial Staff and other formal complainants.

Under the settlement, the company will increase its annual revenues by $12 million (2.59 percent). The company’s original proposal included an annual revenue increase of $32.3 million (6.97 percent).

According to the settlement, the bill for the average residential customer who uses 7.2 thousand cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas a month would increase by $2.19 (2.58 percent) from $84.95 to $87.14. Under the company’s original proposal, the average residential customer who uses 7.2 Mcf of natural gas a month would have seen an increase of $5.87 (6.91 percent) to $90.82.  

Also under the settlement, Columbia will make changes to its customer assistance program and improve its Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency program and the Emergency Repair program.

Columbia provides natural gas service to more than 413,000 customers in 26 counties in Pennsylvania. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

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 No. R-2009-2149262

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