News Stories
Sponsored by Earth Etch. Regulatory insight and compliance solutions for today’s energy markets.
PUC Votes To Suspend And Investigate Utility’s Proposed Rate Increase
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by UGI Utilities Inc. – Gas Division (UGI) for natural gas distribution service to approximately 690,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 46 counties across Pennsylvania.
The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate UGI’s proposal to increase its annual operating revenues for natural gas distribution service by $110.4 million (9.7%).
Under the proposal, the average bill for a residential customer using 73.7 hundred cubic feet (Ccf) of natural gas per month would increase from $104.47 to $115.74/month (10.8%).
The rate increase request is suspended and will be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for evidentiary hearings and the issuance of a recommended decision. A final PUC decision is due by October 28, 2025.
Excerpt from the Order:
{***} “Pursuant to 66 Pa. C.S. §1308(d), the filing will be suspended by operation of law until October 28, 2025, unless permitted by Commission Order to become effective at an earlier date. Investigation and analysis of this proposed tariff filing, and the supporting data indicate that the proposed changes in rates, rules, and regulations may be unlawful, unjust, unreasonable, and contrary to the public interest. It also appears that consideration should be given to the reasonableness of UGI’s existing rates, rules, and regulations;” {***}
IT IS ORDERED:
- That an investigation on Commission motion be, and hereby is, instituted to determine the lawfulness, justness, and reasonableness of the rates, rules, and regulations contained in the proposed Supplement No. 55 to UGI Gas Tariff – Pa. P.U.C. Nos. 7 and 7S.
- That the proposed Supplement No. 55 to UGI Gas Tariff – Pa. P.U.C. Nos. 7 and 7S is suspended by operation of law until October 28, 2025, unless otherwise directed by Order of the Commission.” {***}
Previously on January 7, 2025, UGI Gas Tariff – Pa. P.U.C. Nos. 7 and 7S filed a tariff proposing an annual increase in rates of $110.4 million (9.7%) to become effective March 28, 2025. As proposed, the total monthly bill for a residential customer using 73.7 CCF would increase from $104.47 to $115.74 (10.8%).
Order (02/20/2025)
R-2024-3052716 (12/27/2024)
(UGI Utilities Rate Case)
View also: Consolidated Case of Docket R-2024-3052716
