Press Release

PUC Reminds Consumers of Public Input Hearings for Investigation of Weather Normalization Adjustment used by Philadelphia Gas Works

Published on 11/8/2022

Filed under: Gas

Registration Deadline is November 15 for Telephonic Hearings on November 17 to Gather Public Input from Concerned Parties

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is reminding consumers about the upcoming registration deadline for a pair of  telephonic hearings on November 17 to gather public input on proposed modifications to the Weather Normalization Adjustment (WNA) used by Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) – as well as a broader review of PGW’s existing rates, rules, and regulations as part of this investigation. 

The registration deadline for the public input hearings is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022.

PUC Public Input Hearing

The public input hearings for the investigation of PGW’s WNA are scheduled for the following:

• Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022
  • The first telephonic hearing will begin at 10 a.m.
  • The second telephonic hearing will begin at 6 p.m.

PUC Administrative Law Judge Marta Guhl will preside over the hearings.

Signing Up for the Public Input Hearing

If you wish to testify at the telephonic public input hearing, you must pre-register with the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) by 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. If you do not pre-register and provide the information listed below, you may not be able to testify. Individuals will testify in the order in which they pre-register.   

Note: If you do not wish to testify but want to listen to the public input hearing, you may also contact the OCA to obtain the call-in information. 

To pre-register, please contact the OCA by phone at 800-684-6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org and provide:

• Your first and last name.
• The date and time (10 a.m. or 6 p.m.) of the public input hearing.
• The phone number you will be using to call into the public input hearing.
• A phone number where you can be reached prior to the hearing if there is a need to contact you.
• Your email address, if you have one.
• If you require an interpreter to participate in the hearing, the language of the interpreter.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the OCA (toll-free) at: 800-684-6560 or consumer@paoca.org. 

The Relay Service number for persons who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 800-654-5988.

The deadline for signing up for the public input hearing is 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022.

Requests for Interpreters

If you require an interpreter, please pre-register as soon as possible.  If you register too close to the hearing date, there may not be enough time to arrange for an interpreter.  If you request an interpreter, every reasonable effort will be made to have one present. 

Hearing Exhibits

If you have any hearing exhibits to which you will refer during the hearing, please email them to the OCA at consumer@paoca.org.  The OCA will forward the exhibits to the judge and all parties. 

Exhibits must be received by November 15, 2022.

Offering Testimony at a Public Input Hearing

The PUC offers tips on how to participate in a public input hearing, including:

• 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.
• Any formal testimony that is offered during the hearing will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.
• Understand that parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.
  
  

PUC Investigation of PGW Weather Normalization Adjustment

A WNA is an automatic adjustment clause that adjusts customer bills when the actual weather varies from “normal” weather levels.

On September 15, 2022, the PUC moved to suspend a proposal from Philadelphia Gas Works to modify their WNA – allowing for a full investigation and analysis of the changes requested by PGW. 

Per that September 2022 PUC order, the Commission is investigating PGW’s proposed changes to the WNA. While PGW’s original WNA currently remains in place, the PUC order also called for broader consideration of the reasonableness of PGW’s existing rates, rules, and regulations as part of this investigation. 

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 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 Nos.:
R-2022-3034229
P-2022-3034264

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov