The Public Utility Commission reported this week that the cost of heating homes with natural gas this winter will increase about 18 percent and those who heat with electricity will see about an 8 percent increase.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration has estimated heating oil customers can expect an estimated 36 percent cost increase this winter.

The PUC announced it will hold a second public hearing on November 13, to seek information on alternative energy resources, as well as energy conservation and efficiency, and demand side response tools and programs to assist consumers.

The hearing will be held at 12:30 p.m. in Hearing Room 1 of the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg. The public is welcome to attend.

More details will follow soon on the Announcements page of the PUC Web site as it is available.

The five PUC Commissioners will conduct the en banc hearing to solicit comments from interested parties on specific issues and questions that will be released soon. As part of the informal en banc hearing process, the Commissioners will pose questions to speakers after their testimony.

The winter heating report released by the Commission, which is broken down by company, shows that the average natural gas customer using 15 Mcf of natural gas will see their monthly bill increase by $38.12 (17.69 percent) from $218.69 in winter 2007 to $256.80 in winter 2008. The average electric customer using 2,000 kwh of electricity will see their monthly bill increase by $17.65 (7.83 percent) from $208.49 in winter 2007 to $226.14 in winter 2008.

Some prices consumers actually pay will be higher and others lower – depending on usage, and changes in market prices relative to these estimated prices. Charts of the electric and natural gas bills are available on the Commission's website.

The hearing kicked off the Commission's annual "Prepare Now" campaign with a special en banc hearing focused on issues including increasing consumer awareness on rising energy prices; exploring ways to reduce energy usage; educating consumers about the availability of low-income programs; increasing awareness for safe home heating; and discussing potential policies and strategies for the campaign.

The PUC also released a comparison of monthly bills for Pennsylvania electric and natural gas customers from last winter and the estimated bills for this winter for each electric and natural gas company.

The five PUC Commissioners conducted the en banc hearing to solicit comments from the Department of Environmental Protection, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, the PA Home Energy Program, the Keystone Help Loan Program, the PUC Consumer Advisory Council, the Energy Coordinating Agency, the Office of Consumer Advocate, the Office of Small Business Advocate, the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, the Dollar Energy Fund, the Department of Public Welfare, and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Comments provided in writing are available on the PUC's website.

This marks the sixth winter in which the Commission is urging consumers to "Prepare Now." The message is simple: "Prepare Now" for higher energy costs this winter. Learn about changes in the law related to utility shut-offs and know your rights. Save money by learning how to conserve energy. Heat your home safely.

Explore budget billing options. Look into programs that help low-income customers restore and maintain service. Visit the PUC’s Prepare Now webpage or call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380 for more information.

NewsClips: State Natural Gas Heating Cost to Rise 18 Percent, PUC Says

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Rendell Pushing For Action On Electric Rate Caps

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Electric Costs Apt To Soar In 2011

Rendell: Stagger Lifting Rate Caps

Links: Rendell Predicts Economic Fallout If Electric Rate Caps Issue Not Dealt With

John Hanger: High Energy Prices, Electric Rate Spikes Need Action

PUC Initiates Action Plan To Increase Natural Gas Competition

9/12/2008