Press Release

PUC to Weigh Comments on $125,000 Settlement with Equitable Gas

Published on 1/27/2012

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today issued for comment a settlement with Equitable Gas Co. over dealings with its affiliated companies.

The Commission voted 5-0 to issue the settlement between the PUC’s independent Prosecutory Staff and Equitable for comment. Commissioner Wayne E. Gardner and Commissioner James H. Cawley issued a statement.

 The settlement follows an investigation into Equitable’s transfer of intellectual property to an affiliated company; an agreement with an affiliated company for the payment of royalty amounts; and Equitiable’s practice of not furnishing information to the Commission regarding its transactions with an affiliated company since 2001.

Under the proposed settlement, Equitable will pay a $40,000 civil penalty and make an $85,000 contribution to its Hardship Repair Fund, which provides monetary assistance to low-income customers who are without service due to house or service line leakage or malfunctioning heating equipment. The money cannot be recovered from consumers, according to the settlement.

Interested parties have 20 days to comment on the proposed settlement.

Equitable provides natural gas service to about 240,000 customers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Jefferson, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

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. M-2011-2185982

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