Press Release

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to suspend and investigate the request of the PFG Gas and North Penn Gas Company for a $14.4 million (12.88 percent) rate increase.

Under the company’s proposal, the average annual residential bill for customers using 8,000 cubic feet of gas per month would increase $13, from $76 to $89. The rate increase would affect approximately 73,155 residential customers in 34 counties.

The proposed increase will be suspended for up to seven months from its August 29, 2000, proposed effective date and assigned to a PUC administrative law judge for a recommended decision or settlement. The recommended decision is then sent to the commissioners to make the final decision in a public meeting held in Harrisburg.

The company said the increase is needed to recover current operational and maintenance expenses.

PFG Gas and North Penn Gas Company provide service in Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Carbon, Center, Chester, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northhampton, Northumberland, Potter, Schuylkill, Tioga, Union and Venango counties.

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