The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has scheduled public hearings for customers to comment on a proposed natural gas rate increase requested by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation.
National Fuel has asked regulators to approve a $19.7 million rate increase, which represents a 7.4% increase in overall revenue.
If approved, the proposal would increase the average residential monthly bill for customers using 80 Ccf of natural gas from $83.49 to $88.44, an increase of about $4.95 per month, or 5.9%. The company is also proposing to raise the monthly customer charge from $14 to $19, a 35.7% increase.
National Fuel provides natural gas service to more than 213,000 customers in 14 counties in northwestern Pennsylvania, including parts of Erie County, Pennsylvania.
To gather public feedback, the PUC has scheduled two in-person public input hearings on Tuesday, March 31 at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. The hearings will begin at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Two telephonic hearings are also scheduled for Thursday, April 2, at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Residents can participate by calling 1-866-675-4411 and entering PIN number 23464163.
Customers who want to testify by phone are encouraged to pre-register by noon on March 30 by emailing caeberly@pa.gov
or calling 412-565-3550.
The PUC suspended the proposed increase in February to allow time for a full review of the request. A final decision on the case is expected by Oct. 29, 2026.
Customers with questions can contact the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate at 1-800-684-6560 or by email at consumer@paoca.org
.
