Press Release

PUC Approves Equitable Gas Co.’s Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan and Distribution System Improvement Charge

Published on 7/16/2013

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved the petition of Equitable Gas Co. (Equitable) to approve its long-term infrastructure improvement plan (LTIIP) and institute a distribution system improvement charge (DSIC) to fund the infrastructure improvements.

The Commission voted 3-2 to approve Equitable’s LTIIP and DSIC, which was filed in compliance with Act 11 of 2012.  Commissioner Wayne E. Gardner and Commissioner James H. Cawley issued a joint dissenting statement.   

Under Equitable’s LTIIP, the company’s five-year plan will increase its projected capital investment for replacing aging natural gas service lines from about $17.3 million a year to $23.7 million per year.  Equitable’s increased level of investment will enable it to replace all of its oldest, high-risk cast iron in about nine years

Equitable Gas Co. provides natural gas distribution service to about 260,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across ten counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

On Feb. 14, 2012, Governor Corbett signed Act 11 of 2012, which allows jurisdictional water and wastewater utilities, natural gas distribution companies, city natural gas distribution operations, and electric distribution companies to petition the Commission for approval to implement a DSIC. Under the law, the DSIC must be designed to provide for "the timely recovery of the reasonable and prudent costs incurred to repair, improve or replace eligible property in order to ensure and maintain adequate, efficient, safe, reliable and reasonable service.”

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. 

For recent news releases and video of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our website at www.puc.pa.gov. Follow the PUC on Twitter – @PA_PUC for all things utility.  “Like” PAPowerSwitch on Facebook for easy access to information on electric shopping.

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Docket Nos. P-2013-2342745, P-2013-2342745 and C-2013-2348777

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