Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request for Columbia Gas

Published on 4/21/2016

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to investigate a proposed rate increase for Columbia Gas of PA Inc. (Columbia) for its natural gas service.

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate Columbia’s proposal to increase annual revenues by $55.3 million (11.2 percent). Under Columbia’s proposal, the average total monthly bill for a residential customer using 70 therms of gas per month would increase from $77.33 to $86.97 (12.47 percent).

The proposal is suspended until Dec. 19, 2016, and will be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for an investigation and recommended decision. More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Columbia provides natural gas service to about 421,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in portions of 26 counties in western, northwestern, central and southern Pennsylvania.

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” Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission on Facebook for easy access to information on utility issues.

###

Docket No. R-2016-2529660

Contact:

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