Press Release

PUC Schedules Telephonic Public Input Hearing on Proposed Increase by UGI Central Penn Gas Inc.

Published on 5/3/2011

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled a telephone hearing to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase by UGI Central Penn Gas Inc.

Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) Susan D. Colwell and Eranda Vero will conduct the telephonic hearing at:

1 p.m., Monday, May 9, 2011

If you wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing, you must contact the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) before Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 5 p.m. to provide your name, telephone number and the topic of your testimony. You may call the OCA toll free at 1-800-684-6560.  Beginning at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011, consumers will testify in the order they signed up.

On March 17, 2011, the Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the company’s request to increase annual revenues by $16.4 million (15.5 percent).  According to the proposal, the average monthly residential bill for customers using 68.42 Ccfs amonth will increase by $14.69 from $87.03 to $101.72 a month.

The request is suspended for up to seven months and will be assigned to the Office of Administrative Law Judge for public hearings and a recommended decision. A final decision must be made by Oct. 18, 2011.  More information is on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

UGI Central Penn provides natural gas service to approximately 73,310 customers in 35 counties.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision. The PUC and state Office of Consumer Advocate offer tips on how to participate.  They include:

- 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.

- Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, 3 copies must be sent to the Administrative Law Judge and 1 copy each must be sent to every other party.  All copies must be received at least 3 days before the hearing.

Except for those individuals representing themselves, the Commission's rules require that all parties have an attorney; therefore, you should have an attorney of your choice file an entry of appearance before the scheduled hearing.

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 Nos. R-2010-2214415; C-2011-2223870; C-2011-2225011; C-2011-2225026; and C-2011-2228493

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722