The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will investigate another proposed rate increase requested by Columbia Gas.
The changes requested by Columbia would result in a revenue increase of about $100 million per year. The average monthly bill for a residential customer would increase by nearly 15% from nearly $101 per month to just over $115 per month.
This request will now be suspended for up to seven months while the PUC investigates with a final decision on the request expected by the end of the current year. Columbia Gas also requested a rate increase last year and the PUC approved an increase less than what was requested earlier this year after two public hearings over the phone.
Columbia Gas provides service to roughly 436,000 residents and businesses in western and southern Pennsylvania, including many in Butler County.