National Fuel plans to decrease its rate by about 4 ½ percent effective Sunday.
The company says the monthly bill of a typical residential customer will go from $61 to $58.
National Fuel says the main reason for the adjustment is low market prices due in large part to the increasing production of Marcellus Shale gas.
Gas supply charges are passed along to customers dollar for dollar, with no mark-up or profit to National Fuel. Pennsylvania utility companies are permitted to update gas supply charges on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the market price of natural gas. The next opportunity to adjust gas supply charges will be Feb. 1, 2016.
As the result of aggressive cost-containment and productivity efforts, National Fuel hasn’t sought to increase the delivery service charges paid by its residential customers in more than seven years, even while consistent investments in pipeline safety and system modernization have continued.
Customers who are having trouble paying their bills are encouraged to call National Fuel Customer Service at 1-800-365-3234 to discuss available payment programs and services. Programs include:
Budget Plan- predictable monthly gas bills and stabilized heating payments for the year
Deferred Payment Agreement- customers can negotiate a payment plan in the event of a problem or special circumstance
LIRA (Low-Income Residential Assistance Program)- reduced-rate monthly bills and debt forgiveness
LIURP (Low Income Usage Reduction Program)- weatherization assistance for customers who meet income and consumption requirements
CARES (Customer Assistance Referral Evaluation Services)- payment arrangements and assistance referrals for customers facing hardships
Neighbor For Neighbor Heat Fund- helps customers, who are having difficulty paying bills and who meet one of the following criteria: at least 55 years old, disabled, have a certified medical condition, or receiving unemployment benefits, meet basic energy needs
In addition, LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, opens on Monday, Nov. 2. Eligibility for this federally funded program is based on income guidelines and household size. Monies are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, visit LIHEAPhelps.com or contact 1-877-443-2743.
National Fuel cautions customers that gas leaks can be serious and to leave the premises and call 1-800-444-3130 when a rotten-egg natural-gas smell is present. To learn more about natural gas safety, visit www.nationalfuelgas.com/forhome/gassafety.aspx.
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation is the Utility segment of National Fuel Gas Company, a diversified energy company that is engaged in a number of natural gas-related activities. The Utility provides natural gas service to more than 735,000 customers in Western New York and northwestern Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.nationalfuelgas.com.