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<p>For the second time this winter, UGI Utilities Inc. will pass on to customers in northeastern Pennsylvania the higher cost it pays for natural gas.</p><p>The utility said the average residential heating customer&#8217;s monthly bill in the North District will increase by 3.1 percent starting Friday. That means the average bill of $89.67 will jump to $92.42. The increase also affects UGI&#8217;s commercial and industrial customers.</p><p>UGI last raised the purchased gas cost rate on Dec. 1, 2018. It had been stable for a year before that increase. UGI attributed the hike to the higher cost it pays for natural gas on the wholesale market. It does not mark up the purchased gas cost rate and passes it on directly to customers.</p><p>&#8220;While this increase reflects increases related to wholesale gas purchasing costs, natural gas continues to be an economical, reliable and environmentally responsible source of energy for our customers and our communities,&#8221; Paul Szykman, UGI Chief Regulatory Officer, said Thursday in a prepared statement.</p><p>The utility still has a $71.1 million annual base-rate hike pending before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. In January, UGI filed its request to pay for infrastructure improvements and operational costs. If approved, the average monthly bill for residential customers would increase by a little more than 5 percent, the utility said.</p><p>The PUC voted 5-0 Thursday to suspend the proposed rate increase for up to seven months from March 29, when the rate hike would have taken effect. The case will be assigned the PUC&#8217;s Office of Administrative Law Judge to schedule proceedings and issue a recommended decision.</p><p>The utility advised customers who have difficulty paying their heating bills that there are programs to assist them. At no additional cost, customers can sign for UGI&#8217;s budget billing program, which spreads outs billing amounts evenly over a 12-month period.</p><p>Customers on fixed or limited incomes should call UGI at 1-800-UGIWARM to determine if they are eligible for any of the assistance programs offered by the utility. In addition, UGI can assist eligible customers apply for federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program grants. UGI urged any customer who is behind on their monthly bills to contact the utility as soon as possible to discuss a payment arrangement.</p><p>Additional information is available on UGI&#8217;s website at <a href="https://www.ugi.com/" target="_blank">www.ugi.com</a>.</p><p>UGI Utilities&#8217;s North District serves more than 168,000 customers in 15 northeastern Pennsylvania counties.</p><style>
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<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 natural-gas customers to pay more starting Friday