The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission voted unanimously to suspend and investigate the natural gas rate increase proposed by UGI Utilities, Inc. – Gas Division.
The proposed increase would impact an estimated 690,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 46 counties across the state, officials said. UGI filed the request in January, to increase its annual operating revenues for natural gas distribution service 8.05 percent to approximately $99.4 million. Under the proposal, residential customers using 68.7 hundred cubic feet of natural gas would see their bills go up from $113.64 per month, to $123.55.
According to UGI, the requested increase is needed to allow the company to earn a fair return on investments used to serve the public safely and reliably, as well as to support Commission-approved infrastructure replacement programs; enhance IT systems; recover operating expenses; extend its Weather Normalization Adjustment (WNA) pilot; and incorporate a weather calculation into its rate design.
The commission said the proposed rate change suspension provides it with time for a full investigation into the proposals lawfulness, justness, and reasonableness. The case will go before the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for hearings and a final decision is expected by Oct. 29, 2026.