web1_TTL113016college.elections.jpg

College Democrats and Republicans watch debates and election returns

web1_internship03.jpg

Area business leaders learn ‘ins and outs’ of internships

<p>Just in time for the colder weather forecast for Northeastern Pennsylvania, customers of UGI Penn Natural Gas will get break in their heating bills.</p><p>The utility Wednesday announced a drop in the price it pays for the fuel and a corresponding reduction of 6.2 percent for the average residential customer. The average bill will decrease to $77.75 a month from $82.92, according to the utility.</p><p>Paul Szykman, vice president of rate at UGI, attributed the reduction to &#8220;moderating, stable prices&#8221; and the proximity of the source of the fuel.</p><p>&#8220;&#8220;More than 90 percent of UGI&#8217;s natural gas supplies now come from Marcellus Shale. Our customers are benefiting from this locally produced, plentiful, and lower cost supply,&#8221; Szykman said in a prepared statement.</p><p>The utility files quarterly adjustments with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to show the wholesale price it pays.</p><p>&#8220;We pass on the cost of gas without any profit by law,&#8221; said Joe Swope, a UGI spokesman.</p><p>The rate as of Thursday is $3.15 per thousand cubic feet of gas or mcf, a standard measurement of volume in the industry, and reflects the moderating costs over the past year. The rate on file for Dec. 1, 2015 was $3.16 mcf. It fell to $3.02 mcf in June and rose to $3.71 mcf in September.</p><p>&#8220;June is always an estimate. You&#8217;re projecting out six months,&#8221; Swope said.</p><p>The mild temperatures recorded over the past few days will give way to more seasonable weather Thursday, according to AccuWeather.com. Highs are expected to be in the upper 40s during the day and mid to low 30s at night. Rain and ice are possible for the start of next week.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_UGI-logo.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_UGI-logo.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Jerry Lynott</p><p>jlynott@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLJerryLynott</p></shirttailMeta></div>

UGI PNG customers to get break with lower rates for natural gas