National Fuel Adjusts Gas Supply Charges in Pennsylvania

The National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel) has submitted its quarterly adjustment to gas supply fees to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission effective November 1, 2021. This adjustment increases the monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 101,100 cubic feet of gas annually by $ 6.44, from $ 78.72 to $ 85.16.

The tariff adjustment is primarily due to higher market prices for natural gas, which have increased the cost of the natural gas supplies National Fuel purchases for customers. Gas utility costs are passed on to customers dollar for dollar with no mark-up or profit to National Fuel. Pennsylvania utilities are allowed to update gas utility rates on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the market price of natural gas. The next opportunity to adjust gas supply charges is February 1, 2022.

While gas prices tend to be higher compared to the previous two years, National Fuel’s purchasing strategy and use of storage gas will limit any further volatility or price spikes that could result from a colder winter or a cold spike. Additionally, the $ 100 one-time credit recently approved by the PUC and the retail price cut offer savings on delivery fees that help offset the rise in gas utility costs. Different loan and rate reduction amounts apply to commercial and industrial customers.

The price of National Fuel versus gas usage will also rise to $ 0.63333 per 100 cubic feet (ccf). This reference point, which is listed on the national fuel bill under gas supply charges, is important for customers looking for an alternative gas supplier.

As a result of efforts to contain costs and manage it efficiently, National Fuel has not attempted to increase the delivery service fees paid by its retail customers since 2006, despite investing consistently in pipeline safety and system modernization.

Customer help

The Low Income Household Support Program, LIHEAP, is open. Eligibility for this federally funded program is based on income guidelines and household size. For example, a family of four with gross monthly income of $ 3,312 may be eligible for a scholarship. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.LIHEAPhelps.com or contact 1-877-443-2743.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) remains open to eligible tenant households. ERAP is a federally funded program created to help tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with payment of rent, electricity and home energy bills. Electricity bill assistance can include past and future bills. Customers should be aware that this program has a higher income eligibility than LIHEAP. Visit https://www.dhs.pa.gov/coronavirus/Pages/Emergency-Rental-Assistance-Program.aspx or call 211 for more information.

National Fuel customers who are having trouble paying their bills are encouraged to call 1-800-365-3234. Other payment assistance programs and services include:

  • Budget plan – predictable monthly gas bills and stabilized heating costs for the year.
  • Deferred Payment Agreement – Customers can negotiate a payment schedule in the event of a problem or special circumstance.
  • LIRA (Low-Income Residential Assistance Program) – discounted monthly bills and debt relief.
  • LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Program) – weathering support for clients meeting income and consumption requirements.
  • CARES (Customer Assistance Referral Evaluation Services) – payment agreements and mediation of assistance for customers in emergencies.
  • Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund – helps clients who are having trouble paying bills and who meet any of the following criteria: 55 years of age, a veteran, disabled, certified illness, or receiving unemployment benefits to meet basic energy needs.

Efficiency tips

Customers can save money and help the environment by becoming more energy efficient. Small, inexpensive adjustments include:

  • Reduce air leaks and lower your monthly energy bills by up to 10% by sealing sealants on floors, walls, ceilings, ducts, doors, windows, fans / vents, sockets, chimneys, and piping with sealant or weatherstrip.
  • Set the thermostats between 65 ° and 70 ° in winter and 58 ° outside the house. By turning back the thermostats by 10 ° -15 ° for eight hours in a row, customers can save around 5-15% on heating costs per year. Or buy a programmable thermostat.
  • Close ventilation slots and doors in unused rooms. Close the hatches on unused chimneys. Warm air rises, so use registers to direct the flow of warm air across the floor.
  • Set the water heaters to 120 ° or the medium temperature setting. Every three months, drain a liter of water from the bottom of the heating tank to remove any build-up that can affect the efficiency of the device.

Smell gas? Go fast!

As always, if you smell gas, go quick! If there is a rotten egg smell of natural gas, immediately leave the premises and call National Fuel emergency number 1-800-444-3130 from another location. If you smell gas outside, immediately leave the area, call National Fuel’s emergency number and provide the address closest to the point of smell. To learn more about natural gas safety, visit https://www.nationalfuel.com/utility/gas-safety/.

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation is the utility segment of National Fuel Gas Company, a diversified energy company engaged in a number of natural gas-related activities. The utility supplies nearly 2 million residents in western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania with natural gas. More information is available at https://www.nationalfuel.com.

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