Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request by Columbia Gas of PA

Published on 4/5/2018

Filed under: Gas

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

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the proposal filed on March 16, 2018, which would increase annual revenues by $46.9 million (8.16 percent). Under the Columbia Gas proposal, the average total monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 70 therms of gas per month would increase from $91.63 to $99.88 per month (9 percent). Columbia Gas also proposes to increase the current monthly residential customer charge from $16.75 to $18.25.

The proposed rate increase is suspended for up to seven months from the time the rate would have otherwise become effective (May 15, 2018) 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 Gas provides natural gas service to about 426,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in portions of 26 counties in western, northwestern, central and southern Pennsylvania.

A final decision by the Commission must be made by Dec. 15, 2018. 

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.

Visit the PUC’s website at www.puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

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 Docket No.: R-2018-2647577

Contact:

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