The PUC notes that recent changes in natural gas prices and colder weather can impact utility bills this winter – while outlining steps that consumers can take to help manage energy use, compare costs, and find help if they are struggling.
Winter Weather and Your Natural Gas Bill
Natural gas bills have two main parts:
-- Delivery charges – These cover the cost of pipelines and infrastructure, and this portion of your monthly bill supports your local utility.
-- Supply charges – This is the cost of the gas you use, determined either by a competitive supplier or your utility’s Price to Compare (PTC).
While delivery charges stay steady, supply charges will fluctuate with wholesale energy market prices and can vary greatly, driven by global demands and factors like extreme winter.
Gas supply costs, on which a natural gas distribution company (NGDC) cannot make a profit, are reflected in the NGDC’s “price to compare,” or PTC.
Current PTCs for Pennsylvania’s regulated natural gas utilities for the Fourth Quarter 2025 include:
-- Columbia Gas of PA - $0.33169 per therm
-- National Fuel Gas - $0.54463 per Ccf
-- PECO - $0.53143 per Ccf
-- Peoples Natural Gas Co. - $3.5912 per Mcf
-- Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) - $0.63502 per Ccf
-- UGI Utilities - $0.69874 per Ccf
Customers can find their PTC on monthly bills and compare offers using the PUC’s natural gas shopping website, PAGasSwitch.com.
Managing Energy Usage
Energy usage is a key factor in the size of winter energy bills – and small changes can make a big difference--
-- Lower your thermostat: Each degree lower saves up to 3%.
-- Service your furnace: Clean filters boost efficiency.
-- Seal drafts and insulate: Keep cold air out.
-- Adjust your water heater: Lowering the temperature can cut costs
-- Use ceiling fans wisely: Reverse them to push warm air down.
Visit PAGasSwitch.com for interactive tools and more energy-saving ideas.
Struggling with High Bills? #CallUtilitiesNow to Explore Assistance Programs
If you’re falling behind or worried about winter bills, don’t wait – #CallUtilitiesNow. Utilities can connect eligible households to programs like--
-- Customer Assistance Programs (CAPs)
-- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
-- Hardship funds through utilities and community organizations
Talking directly with your utility is the best first step. Utilities can explain options, help you enroll in programs, and work out payment plans.
Staying Warm, Safe, and Connected
Consumers who cannot resolve issues directly with their utility can contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380 for help or more information about available programs.
Click Here for the PUC announcement.
Resource Link - Energy Prices:
-- PUC: Most PA Electric Utility Consumers To See 3.7% To 10.6% Increase In Electricity Prices During The Next 3 Months Starting Dec. 1 [PaEN]
-- PUC Chairman Highlights 'Extraordinary Challenges' Pennsylvania Families Are Facing This Winter With Energy Bills And His Appreciation For Groups Providing Assistance [PaEN]
-- PJM Interconnection Issues Cold Weather Alert For Dec. 13 In Illinois, And Dec. 14, 15 In Its Western Region, Including Duquesne Light, Penn Power, West Penn Power [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- Environmental Quality Board Votes To Accept Petition To Study An Increase In Setback Safety Zones From Shale Gas Wells; And 3 Petitions From Oil & Gas Industry To Change Other Requirements [PaEN]
-- Sen. Yaw Bill To Subsidize Building Only Natural Gas Power Plants To Help Meet The Energy Demands Of A.I. Data Centers; Continues ‘One Of The Above’ Energy Policy [PaEN]
-- YaleEnvironment360: Pennsylvania Faces A New Natural Gas Fracking Boom With Soaring Energy Demands Needed To Feed A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- Susquehanna River Basin Low Flow Water Conditions Trigger Water Withdrawal Restrictions On 40 Shale Gas Water Withdrawal Points; 17 Shale Gas Withdrawals Blocked By Ice Conditions [PaEN]
-- Independent Fiscal Office: 2025 Act 13 Shale Gas Impact Fee Revenue Estimate $239.9 Million, Up $75.3 Million From Last Year [PaEN]
-- 265 MW Solar Energy Facility Approved By Rush Township In Centre County On Nearly 2,000 Acres Of Abandoned Mine Land [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Post-Gazette - Laura Legere: DEP To Review Proposal To Expand No-Drill Zones Around Homes, Schools, Streams
-- Inside Climate News - Jon Hurdle: PA Will Study Plan To Keep New Natural Gas Drilling Pads Farther From Homes, Schools, Hospitals
-- Capitol Wire: Natural Gas Fracking Activity In Pennsylvania Surges As Power Demand From A.I. Data Centers Increases
-- WESA - Rachel McDevitt: PJM Grid Operator Covering PA Failing To Plan For Responsible A.I. Data Center Load Growth, Observers Say
-- Fortune: Exelon CEO: The ‘Warning Lights Are On’ For US Electric Grid Resilience And Utility Prices Amid Uncontrolled A.I. Data Center Demand Surge [Electricity & Natural Gas Costs Are Now Leading Inflation Pressures]
-- Scranton Times: Customer, Elected Officials Blast Proposed PPL Rate Increase, Concerns About Ratepayers Footing The Bill For A.I. Data Centers [PDF of Article]
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: PUC Approves Columbia Gas Rate Increase - 13th Since 2008
-- Penn State Extension Energy Essentials: Guide To Extension Energy Team; Upcoming Learning Opportunities; Biogas; Home Heating Assistance Opens
-- TribLive: Springdale Residents, Environmental Groups Gather To Oppose A.I. Data Center; More Events Planned In Allegheny County [Vote Dec. 16]
-- Fox43: New Plans Reviewed For $15 Billion A.I. Data Center In Middlesex Twp., Cumberland County
-- WHYY - Sophia Schmidt: Philadelphia Signs Agreement To Buy Electricity From Clearfield County Solar Energy Facility To Stabilize Energy Costs
- The Guardian: More Than 230 US Environmental Groups Demand Halt To New Energy-Hungry A.I. Data Centers Causing Soaring Electric Bills
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Concerns Raised About PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In A.I. Data Centers
-- Chesapeake Bay Journal: Potential For More Air Pollution From A.I. Data Centers Causes Concern In Virginia
-- Reuters: Big Tech Shifts To ‘All Of The Above’ A.I. Power Strategy [Still Prioritizing Renewables Over Fossil Fuels]
-- Utility Dive: President Wants ‘ONE’ National A.I. Data Center Rule As States Seeks To Curb Impacts On Energy Costs, Water Use, Privacy And Other Issues
-- NY Times: President Promises Executive Order To Block State A.I. Regulations
-- Post-Gazette: A.I. Strike Team Finds New Partner, Fresh Leadership To Promote A.I. In PA
-- PA Attorney General Sunday Leads Coalition Of 42 Attorneys General In Letter To A.I. Software Companies Demanding Safeguards To Protect Vulnerable Residents From Harmful Interactions With Bots
[Posted: December 11, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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