From Mirror staff reports

Peoples Natural Gas company is filing a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to increase natural gas rates as of Oct. 1.

Peoples has requested an overall gas cost rate increase of $45.7 million per year.

Based upon current tariff rates, if the company’s entire request is approved, the total bill for a residential customer using 80 thousand cubic feet per year would increase from $96.02 to $102.39 per month or 6.6%.

The PUV will examine the requested rate change and can prevent existing rates from changing until it investigates and/or holds hearings on the request. The company must prove that the requested rates are reasonable. After examining the evidence, the PUC may grant all, some or none of the request or may reduce existing rates.

The PUC may change the amount of the rate increase or decrease requested by the utility. As a result, the rate charged to customers may be different than the rate requested by the company.