Press Release

PUC to Investigate Rate Increase Request by Peoples Natural Gas

Published on 1/18/2024

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by Peoples Natural Gas Company LLC (Peoples Gas) for natural gas distribution services within its Peoples Natural Gas Division (PNGD) and Peoples Gas Division (PGD).

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate Peoples Gas’ proposal to increase annual revenue by $156 million (18.7%).  Under the proposed filing, a PNGD residential customer bill using 80 Mcf will increase from $73.16 to $88.79 per month (21.4%) and a PGD residential customer bill using 80 Mcf will increase from $84.00 to $90.35 per month (7.6%).

Additionally, in its filing Peoples Gas stated that tariff changes include the merger of the rate districts for PNGD and PGD, the addition of a weather normalization adjustment, and changes to several existing tariff riders including the Tax Repairs Surcredit, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Surcharge, and the Allegheny Valley Capacity Charge.

Based on today’s action by the Commission, the rate increase request is now suspended for up to seven months from the proposed effective date of February 27, 2024, and will be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for investigation and a recommended decision.  More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission’s website.

Peoples Gas provides service to approximately 700,000 residents and businesses in Pittsburgh and surrounding counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. A final PUC decision on Peoples Gas’ rate increase request is due by Sept. 27, 2024.

About the PUC

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 puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly 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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R-2023-3044549

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov