On December 4, the Public Utility Commission released 2018 Winter Reliability Overview Reports from the state’s major natural gas distribution companies, along with a related Readiness Report from the Energy Association of Pennsylvania.

The reports provide insights regarding preparations for conditions that may affect service reliability, supply and prices for the winter months, including topics such as system readiness; employee safety/readiness; communications outreach; gas supply and planning; and natural gas demand for electric generators.

Among other things, the reports project little change in natural gas usage across the state compared to last year’s heating season, and a modest increase in home heating costs – driven by increasing energy prices.

According to the report submitted by the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the average natural gas heating customer may see their total winter season heating costs increase by about $30.

In October, the U.S. Energy Information Administration Winter Fuels Outlook projected a base case forecast increase of 20 percent increase in heating oil cost, 5 percent for natural gas, 3 percent for electricity and a 1 percent reduction for propane.

The winter readiness overviews are posted on the Reliability section of the PUC website, and can be viewed using the following links:

-- Columbia Gas of PA

-- National Fuel Gas

-- PECO Energy

-- Peoples Natural Gas & Peoples Gas

-- Philadelphia Gas Works

-- UGI Utilities/UGI Penn Natural Gas/UGI Central Penn Gas

-- Energy Association of PA

In addition to promoting preparedness by utilities, the Commission also encourages consumers to take steps now to ready themselves for colder temperatures and higher energy demands.

The PUC’s Prepare Now campaign educates consumers about the availability of low-income programs; increases consumer awareness of ways to reduce winter heating costs; and educates consumers on energy conservation. 

The PUC also encourages consumers to check electric and natural gas bills and supplier contracts, and use the PUC’s PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com websites as resources to shop for services and learn more about conservation and energy efficiency.

For more information, visit the PUC’s Reliability webpage.

NewsClips:

Cold Snap Raises Questions About Columbia Gas Heating Bills In Washington County

PUC Cuts Columbia Gas Rate Hike In Half

UGI North Customers Will See Slightly Higher Gas Bills

UGI Customers In Lehigh Valley To See 11% Drop In Gas Bills

U.S. EIA: November U.S. Natural Gas Prices Increased Beyond Previous Market Expectations

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[Posted: Dec. 4, 2018]

12/10/2018