Press Release

PUC Approves UGI Plan to Double Size of Low-Income Customer Assistance Program

Published on 12/1/2005

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a plan by UGI to double the size of its Customer Assistance Program (CAP), which is designed to help low-income consumers pay their bills.

“The spike in natural gas costs for this winter heating season is going to ripple through our communities, in turn causing a spike in demand for programs that help our neighbors in need,” said Commission Chairman Wendell F. Holland. “Expanding this program will ensure that the funds are available to help low-income families who are eligible for these programs. This also represents how UGI and the PUC are working together to meet the request made by the Governor under his Stay Warm initiative.”

The plan increases the size of the company’s CAP program – called the Low Income Self- Help Program (LISHP) – from 4,000 to 8,000 participants. Customers who successfully pay their LISHP bills on time also earn forgiveness of their arrearages.  The plan increases the maximum discount under the program from $840 to $1,146 for residential heating customers and $560 to $614 for non-residential customers.

UGI is permitted to recover a portion of the costs of running their LISHP program. All UGI customers will pay an additional $0.10181 per MCF of natural gas used toward the program. The average Pennsylvania natural gas consumer uses about 103 MCF a year.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ensures safe, reliable and reasonably priced electric, natural gas, water, telephone and transportation service for Pennsylvania consumers, by regulating public utilities and by serving as responsible stewards of competition. For more information about the PUC and additional press releases, visit our website at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. P-00052190

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