Together, these reports detail how utilities across the state are preparing to meet consumer energy needs and maintain reliable service throughout the upcoming heating season.
According to the Energy Association of Pennsylvania, total natural gas consumption across all sectors is forecast to increase by approximately 2.5% compared to last winter, with total demand expected to reach 240.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) – up from 234.7 Bcf last season.
For residential consumers, home heating costs are expected to be only slightly higher – around 1% above last year – as anticipated colder temperatures are largely offset by lower commodity prices.
Pennsylvania’s NGDCs emphasize that their highest priority remains service to core residential and critical-care customers.
Utilities report that they do not anticipate any supply shortages affecting natural gas-fired electric generators this winter.
“Every winter tests the strength of our energy systems and our ability to work together to protect consumers,” said PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank. “These reports reflect careful planning and coordination across Pennsylvania’s utilities, supported by the PUC’s ongoing focus on reliability, affordability, and communication. We appreciate the vigilance of the Energy Association of Pennsylvania and our utilities as we enter the colder months.”
These reports complement the PUC’s broader efforts to strengthen energy reliability, promote affordability, and support coordination among utilities, state agencies, and emergency responders — ensuring Pennsylvania’s energy systems remain dependable, resilient, and ready to serve.
Ensuring Reliability and Safety
All NGDCs report that they are well-prepared to meet customer demand this winter, with sufficient supply, planning, and infrastructure in place to maintain service reliability and safety, even during periods of peak cold weather.
Utility highlights include:
-- UGI Utilities reported a 25% reduction in Class B (“in-progress”) leaks over the past three years, reflecting continued investment in system safety and integrity.
-- Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania expanded its Emergency Management team with the addition of a meteorologist, improving the utility’s real-time weather and climate analysis capabilities to support operational decisions.
-- PECO Energy and other NGDCs conducted a variety of internal and inter-agency emergency preparedness drills over the summer and fall to strengthen coordination and readiness for extreme weather conditions.
“Reliable natural gas service is vital for families, businesses, and communities across the Commonwealth,” added Chairman DeFrank. “We thank our utilities for their readiness efforts and remind Pennsylvanians that staying safe and warm this winter also means being aware of energy use and seeking help early if they experience payment challenges.”
The complete 2025 Winter Reliability Overview Reports from each of Pennsylvania’s major natural gas distribution companies are available on the PUC website:
-- Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania
-- PECO Energy
-- Peoples Natural Gas and Peoples Gas
-- UGI Utilities – Gas Division
-- Energy Association of Pennsylvania
These reports, along with additional information about system reliability and consumer energy awareness, are available in the Reliability section of the PUC’s website.
Stay Safe, Warm, and Connected
As colder weather arrives, the PUC reminds residents struggling with energy costs to #CallUtilitiesNow — to discuss payment options, apply for customer assistance programs, and explore weatherization or energy-efficiency resources that can help manage winter bills.
More consumer resources are available at PAPowerSwitch.com and PAGasSwitch.com, including energy-saving tips and information on shopping for electric and natural gas suppliers.
Click Here for the PUC announcement.
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Nov. 15 to 21: Fails To Restore Shale Gas Well Pad For 1,418 Days; Fails To Clean Up Spills At 2 Conventional Wells For 1,038 Days; Owner Abandons 35 Conventional Wells [PaEN]
-- DEP: Crude Oil Released From Failed Conventional Oil Well Gathering Line Travels Nearly Length Of 2 Football Fields In Hamilton Twp., McKean County [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - November 22 [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For 8 Million Gallon EQT Midstream Oil & Gas Wastewater Storage Facility In Jackson Twp., Greene County [PaEN]
-- DEP Accepting Comments On Renewal Of Phase II Acid Rain Air Quality Permit For The 750 MW Natural Gas Marcus Hook Energy Power Plant, Delaware County [PaEN]
-- DEP: Comments Now Being Accepted For Renewal Of Title V Air Quality Permit For Hunterstown Power, LLC Natural Gas Power Plant In Adams County [PaEN]
-- DEP Invites Comments On Renewal Of Title V Air Quality Permit For The Energy Center Fuel Oil/Natural Gas Power Plant Serving Downtown Harrisburg Heating District, Dauphin County [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 55 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In November 22 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- 500 Feet Isn’t Enough - House Hearing I: Shale Gas Industry Says Setbacks Won’t Protect Residents, Public Health, Environment From Shale Gas Operations, Only ‘Rigorous Oversight’ Will; Standards Have Not Changed In 9 Years [PaEN]
-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough- House Hearing II: As A Township Supervisor We Have An Obligation To Protect The Health, Safety And Welfare Of Our Township Residents From Shale Gas Development [PaEN]
-- 500 Feet Isn't Enough - House Hearing III: What It’s Really Like Living Next To A Shale Gas Well Pad - Nosebleeds, Headaches, Nausea, Air Pollution, Vibrating House, Sleepless Nights, Anxiety, Truck Traffic [PaEN]
-- DEP Issues Air Permit For Largest Natural Gas Power Plant In US To Feed Proposed 3,200 Acre Homer City A.I. Data Center Campus In Indiana County [PaEN]
-- Montour County Planning Commission Recommends Against Talen Energy Request To Rezone 870 Acres For A Natural Gas Power Plant Expansion To Feed A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- PUC Invites Comments On Proposed Model Tariff To Balance A.I. Data Center Growth And Ratepayer Protection [PaEN]
-- PUC: Natural Gas Utility Winter Reliability Reports Forecast Slightly Higher Usage, Costs [PaEN]
-- Dept. Of Human Services Begins Accepting Applications For Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Dec. 3, After Federal Shutdown Delay [PaEN]
-- PUC Directs Staff To Develop Rule On Winter Terminations, Payment Arrangements, Other Consumer Protections
-- North American Electric Reliability Corp: Electric Grid At Elevated Risk Of Insufficient Energy Supplies During Extreme Weather Due To Rising A.I. Data Center Demands, 'Precarious' Natural Gas Supplies [PaEN]
-- In Case You Missed It: A.I./Data Center Articles - NewClips From Last Week - November 24 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Inquirer: How An Energy Transfer/Sunoco Petroleum Products Pipeline Leak Disrupted A Quiet Bucks County Neighborhood: ‘Never Drink The Water’ [PDF of Article]
-- The Center Square: Lawsuits Target Northeast Supply Enhancement Natural Gas Pipeline From PA To NY Backed By President
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: Bellwether District- Site Of Former Philadelphia Refinery-- Could Soon Announce Its First Tenants
-- WITF/LancasterOnline: Mild Forecast For PA Winter Heating Bills In Peril As Natural Gas Prices Surge
-- Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader: UGI Gas Company Contributes $500,000 For Customers Struggling To Pay Heating Bills
-- Post-Gazette/AP: New Analysis Shows More US Consumers Are Falling Behind On Their Utility Bills
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: PUC Proposes Special Treatment For A.I. Data Center Power Connections To Contain The Cost Burden On Existing Ratepayers [PDF of Article]
-- York Daily Record: Where Does York County Rank In Electricity Production Across PA & US (Really High) [Data Center Series] [PDF of Article]
-- Utility Dive: PJM Members Fail To Agree On A.I. Data Center Interconnection Rules; Board May Develop A Proposal, But Timing Unclear
-- The Center Square: Consensus For Soaring A.I. Data Center Power Demands Still Elusive Among PJM Members
-- The Center Square: ‘Ghost’ A.I. Data Center Projects Haunt PJM Power Grid Planners, Raising Energy Costs
-- Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp: Winter Peak Demand Is Rising Faster Than Resource Additions
-- WHYY: PJM Electrical Grid To Decide Who Pays Bill For Massive A.I. Data Centers
-- PA Capital-Star: A.I. Data Center Growth Drives Communities In PA, Other States To Fight For More Say
-- Reuters: US A.I. Data Center Demand Raising Power Risks This Winter, NERC Says
-- Bloomberg: US Faces Winter Blackout Risks From A.I. Data Centers’ Power Needs, NERC Says
-- WFMZ: Montour County Planning Commission Votes Against Talen Energy Rezoning Request
-- York Daily Record: Where Does York County Rank In Electricity Production Across PA & US (Really High) [Data Center Series] [PDF of Article]
-- Utility Dive: FERC OKs NRG’s 19 GW Purchase Of LS Power Gas-Fired [5 In PA], Demand Response Assets; BP Wind Energy Sale Also Approved [PA Wind Farm]
-- US Dept. Of Energy Closes On $1 Billion Taxpayer Funded Loan To Constellation Energy To Finance Restart Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant To Power Microsoft A.I. Data Centers [Company Originally Claimed No Taxpayer Money Would Be Used To Restart The Plant]
-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: President’s Energy Dept. Approves $1 Billion Loan For Three Mile Island Nuclear Reactor Restart [Federal Legislation Makes Taxpayer Funding Available]
-- AP: US DOE Loans $1 Billion To Help Finance Restart Of Three Mile Island Nuclear Reactor [Company Originally Claimed No Taxpayer Money Would Be Used To Restart The Plant]
[Posted: November 18, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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