The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to approve modified natural gas distribution rate changes for Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Inc. (Columbia Gas), cutting the utility’s originally requested increase by nearly half and adopting a series of measures designed to strengthen consumer protections, support at-risk households and guide future safety improvements.
Columbia Gas provides natural gas distribution service to approximately 445,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 26 counties across its Pennsylvania service territory.
Under the Opinion and Order, the Commission significantly reduced Columbia Gas’s requested revenue increase. Instead of the company’s proposed annual natural gas distribution revenue increase of approximately $110.5 million (12%), the Commission approved an annual revenue increase of approximately $55.6 million (6.05%) over total distribution operating revenues at present rates.
The new rates, consistent with the Commission’s order, will take effect on or after January 1, 2026.
The Commission substantially reduced Columbia Gas’s proposal to raise the residential customer charge from $17.25 to $31.97 (85%) per month. Instead, the Commission approved a more gradual adjustment, setting the charge at $23 per month (33%).
The Commission noted this $23 per month residential customer charge is based upon the Company’s originally proposed annual revenue increase of $110.5 million. Therefore, the actual monthly customer charge will be scaled back based upon the revenue increase of $55.6 million that was approved by the Commission. The actual final monthly residential customer charge will be known once Columbia Gas makes its compliance tariff filing and the associated detailed calculations that were directed by the Commission in its order.
