The Public Utility Commission Tuesday released 2016 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.

“With winter fast approaching, at the top of our state’s preparedness list is ensuring the reliability and safety of our utilities’ distribution systems,” said PUC Chairman Gladys M. Brown.  “These reports enable the public to see the steps taken, and the level of preparedness achieved, by their utilities in maintaining safe and reliable service to homes and business across our Commonwealth in the event of extreme cold and severe winter weather conditions.”

The Energy Association of Pennsylvania reported, "Members are well prepared to accommodate the conditions forecasted in their winter season planning design" and "underground storage and peak shaving inventories will be adequate to handle design conditions."

The winter readiness overviews are available online:

-- Columbia Gas of PA

-- National Fuel Gas

-- PECO Energy

-- Peoples Natural Gas & Peoples TWP

-- Philadelphia Gas Works

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

-- Energy Association of PA

Consumers also are reminded to prepare now for higher bills associated with winter heating.  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. 

It also encourages consumers to check electric and natural gas bills and supplier contracts, while informing consumers about PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com as resources to shop for services.

NewsClips:

Coal May Outpace Natural Gas Electric Power Generation Nationally This Winter

WSJ: A Trump U.S. Energy Boom

NYT: A Bleak Outlook For Trump’s Promises To Coal Miners

AP: Trump’s Vow To Revive Coal Country Is Met With Measured Hope

Coal’s Decline May Continue Even Under Trump

Report: Trump Taps Sago Coal Mine Owner As Commerce Secretary

Canada To Phase Out Coal-Fired Electricity By 2030

Trump Impact On U.S. Electric Power Sector Still Unclear

[Posted Nov. 22, 2016]

11/28/2016