PUC to Investigate Proposed Rate Increase by National Fuel Gas

PUC to Investigate Proposed Rate Increase by National Fuel Gas

Published on 2/19/2026

Filed under: Gas

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted today to investigate a rate increase request filed by National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel), which provides natural gas distribution services to more than 213,000 customers in parts of 14 counties in northwest Pennsylvania.

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate the request, which was filed on Jan. 28, 2026.

The rate changes proposed by National Fuel would produce an annual overall revenue increase of approximately $19.7 million (7.4%). National Fuel's proposal would result in the total monthly bill for a residential customer, using 80 Ccf per month, increasing from $83.49 to $88.44 (5.9%). National Fuel is also proposing to increase the natural gas customer charge by $5, from $14 to $19 (35.7%).

In its filing with the Commission, National Fuel also proposes the following:

• A customer refund as a result of over collecting Other-Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) expenses in the amount of $7 million - including a one-time $30 credit to low-income customers and an additional surcredit to all customer bills over a one-year period.
  
  
• An Energy Efficiency pilot program that would last for five years, beginning in October 2026. The program would offer residential customers rebate incentives to install high-efficiency furnaces, boilers, water heaters and ENERGY STAR certified natural gas clothes dryers in place of standard equipment.
  
  
• Making permanent its pilot Weather Normalization Adjustment (WNA), currently set to expire in October 2028. The WNA normalizes weather sensitive usage by customers between October and May by charging customers between these months when it is warmer than normal, and credits customers when it is colder than normal on a service rendered basis.

The Commission's suspension of the proposed rate changes provides time for a full investigation into the lawfulness, justness, and reasonableness of the proposed rates, as well as National Fuel's existing rates, rules, and regulations. The case will be assigned to the PUC's Office of Administrative Law Judge for evidentiary hearings and the issuance of a recommended decision. A final PUC decision is due by Oct. 29, 2026.

Details regarding upcoming public input hearings - where customers can provide comments on the proposed rate changes - will be announced in the coming weeks.

More information on the ratemaking process is available on the Commission's website.

NFG furnishes natural gas in portions of Armstrong, Butler, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties.

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The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

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Docket No.: R-2025-3059428

Contact:

• David Hixson
  Deputy Press Secretary
  717-772-2766
  [email protected]