Press Release

PUC Approves Settlement for Smaller Than Requested Increase in Rates for National Fuel Gas

Published on 6/15/2023

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today approved a joint settlement and recommendations from a PUC administrative law judge for a smaller than requested base rate increase for National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel) – trimming National Fuel’s increase by nearly 20%.

The commissioners voted 5-0 today to adopt the Recommended Decision issued by Administrative Law Judge Mary D. Long and approve the joint petition for settlement.  

Under the settlement, the increase in National Fuel’s rates will result in additional annual operating revenues of approximately $23 million (5.5%), compared to the original request for $28.1 million in additional annual revenues.

Per the settlement, the total average monthly bill of a residential customer using 84 ccf of natural gas per month will increase from $99.93 to $106.77 per month (6.8%), compared to the original request from National Fuel, which would have increased that same total monthly residential bill to $109.67 (9.7%). 

The joint settlement was supported by the PUC’s independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement, National Fuel, the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Coalition for Affordable Utility Service and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania (CAUSE-PA), and the Pennsylvania Weatherization Providers Task Force.

National Fuel provides natural gas distribution services to approximately 214,000 customers in northwest Pennsylvania, including residents and businesses in parts of Armstrong, Butler, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties.

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.

# # #

Docket No.: R-2022-3035730

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov
• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  dhixson@pa.gov