Lancaster Natural Gas Rates Up 11.4%

Beginning June 1, UGI Utilities Inc. will raise rates by 11.4 percent for about 51,000 residential natural gas customers across Lancaster County.

UGI said the hike is necessary to compensate for increased wholesale costs.

The average residential heating customer's bill will rise from $135.91 to $151.47 per month — the highest rate for any quarter, said Sonny Popowsky, head of the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate.

According to UGI, the average residential retail heating customer uses about 85 ccf (hundred cubic feet) of natural gas per month.

Vicki Ebner, UGI's vice president of marketing and gas supply, said the price is affected by weather as well as global events that influence oil and other energy prices.

"We recognize the burden that higher rates can place on our customers," Ebner said. "However, the reality is that natural gas prices, like all energy commodities, have increased in recent months."