Press Release

PUC Schedules Public Input Hearings in Peoples Natural Gas Co. Rate Increase Request

Published on 5/30/2012

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has scheduled two hearings to receive public comment on the proposed base rate changes by Peoples Natural Gas Co.

Administrative law judge (ALJ) Mary D. Long will conduct the hearings at:

2 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2012

            Shaler Township Municipal Building

            Training Room

            300 Wetzel Road

            Glenshaw, PA 15116

            (Enter through the police entrance in the back of the building)

6 p.m., Monday, June 18, 2012

          Community College of Allegheny County

            Boyce Campus - Auditorium

            595 Beatty Road

            Monroeville, PA 15146-1395

On April 26, 2012, the Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the company’s request to increase annual revenues by $28.46 million (7.5 percent).  According to the proposal, the average total annual residential bill for customers using 92 Mcfs a year will increase by $85.68 (9 percent) from $955.20 to $1,040.88 a year.

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 Nov. 28, 2012. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.     

Peoples provides service to about 359,258 customers in Mercer, Franklin, Lawrence, Beaver, Washington, Greene, Butler, Allegheny, Fayette, Westmoreland, Armstrong, Clarion, Indiana, Somerset, Cambria and Blair 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.
• Bring copies, if you are attending an in-person hearing.  If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.
• Plan to be questioned.  Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

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-2012-2285985; C-2012-2292047; C-2012-2298317; C-2012-2299156; C-2012-2295218; C-2012-2298575; and C-2012-2295700

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov