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A UGI Gas rate proposal brought no testimony at a Public Utility Commission (PUC) hearing in Williamsport as the company plans to increase its rate charged to customers.
The natural gas distribution company provides service for about 690,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 46 counties, according to data presented by the company and the commission at the hearing at Holiday Inn, 100 Pine St.
Under the proposal rate increase, the average bills for a residential customer -- using a sample of use provided by the PUC -- would see an increase from $104.47 to $115.74 a month.
On Feb. 20, the commission voted 5-0 to investigate the company's proposal to increase its annual operating revenues for distribution by $110.4 million.
Although there was no oral testimony given at the public input hearing, there are pending in-person and telephone public hearings to gather input on the proposed rate change.
To pre-register to participate in the telephone hearings, contact PUC Deputy Chief Administrative Law Judge Mark A. Hoyer's office by phone at 412-565-3555 or email Judge Hoyer's legal assistant, Mary Swarner, at mswarner@pa.gov/. Be prepared to provide: A first and last name; date and time of hearing you wish to testify; phone number you will be using to call into the hearing; phone contact; and if an interpreter is needed. Pre-registration is not required for in-person hearings.
Those who want to listen to the public input hearing can dial 888-795-4352 and enter a PIN number when instructed to do so: 72378378. Contact Warner for any exhibits that may be referred to at a hearing.
The commission's Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement; UGI Gas; the Office of Consumer Advocate; the Office of Small Business Advocate; the Commission on Economic Opportunity; the Coalition for Affordable Utility Services and Energy Efficiency in Pennsylvania; the Retail Energy Supply Association; Shipley Choice LLC, UGI Industrial Interveners and Local 777 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, are the parties. Several private individuals also filed complaints.
The city hearing was one of five public input hearings. The hearings were held to give those most affected by the UGI proposal a chance to provide testimony and exhibits.
The testimony has a direct bearing on any settlement that might be proposed and the judge will consider the testimony when deciding the merits of the case, Hoyer said.
A litigation schedule was agreed to and there will be telephonic evidentiary hearings June 9 and 10. After briefs are submitted, Hoyer said he will render a recommended decision to the commission. A final PUC decision is due by Oct. 28.