Press Release

PUC Schedules Two Public Input Hearings in Peoples Natural Gas Base Rate Increase Request

Published on 1/26/2011

Filed under: Gas

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

Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) John H. Corbett, Jr. and Mary D. Long will conduct the hearings at:

6 p.m. Feb. 7, 2011

Allegheny County Courthouse

436 Grant St.

Room 410

Pittsburgh, PA  15219

1 p.m. Feb. 8, 2011

Public Meeting Room 104

Courthouse Square Office Complex

100 West Beau St.

Washington, PA  15301

On Dec. 16, 2010, the Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the request.  Under the company’s proposal, the monthly bill for an average residential customer using 7.6 Mcf would increase about $17.86 (25.2 percent) from $71 to $88.86 per month.

Peoples Natural Gas Co. provides natural gas service to about 357,455 customers in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Blair, Butler, Cambria, Clarion, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland 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 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 No. R-2010-2201702

Contact:

• Press Secretary
  717-787-5722