Local utility wants to issue rate hike

January 7, 2010 PGW is seeking a 14-percent rate increase which would translate into an extra $8.50 per month on the average heating customer's bill.

The good news is because of new managers and falling natural gas prices PGW bills have been declining despite consistent base-rate increases.

So even if the Public Utilities Commission approves PGW's most recent request for a rate hike, gas bills will still be 18-percent lower than they were four years ago.