City officials prepare to rally once again on behalf of residents and businesses
Today, Mayor Paige G. Cognetti, with Councilmembers Gerald Smurl and Bill King, held a press conference at City Hall to announce they have formally requested a public hearing be held in Scranton on UGI Utility’s proposed gas rate increases.
In a letter sent to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission earlier this week, the leaders wrote:
“City Officials are rightfully concerned about the financial impact these rate increases would have on City residents and businesses. To that end, we urge the Commission to investigate the proposed rate increases diligently,” the letter states. “The City of Scranton hereby respectfully and formally requests that the Commission hold public input hearings on the proposed rate change. Moreover, we invite and encourage the Commission to hold one such public input hearing in person here in Scranton.”
UGI Utilities announced at the end of January that it had filed a request with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to increase its base rates for residential, commercial and industrial gas customers by $110.4 million annually, effective March 28. Residential customers and commercial and industrial natural gas customers would see their bills increase, ranging from 7.5 to 11%.
“This proposed rate hike will place an undue burden on households and businesses in our community, particularly on our seniors and small businesses,” Mayor Cognetti said. “It’s important that those who will be affected are given an opportunity to have their objections and comments heard.”
This is not the first time Mayor Cognetti, Scranton City Council, State Representatives, Lackawanna County Commissioners and other regional officials organized and fought back against proposed utility rate hikes.
In 2023, Pennsylvania American Water Company (PAWC) sought rate increases of 24.2 percent for its water customers that would have cost Scranton residents an estimated $220 more per year.
After Mayor Cognetti and City Council worked with regional officials to organize opposition efforts and requested public hearings, a rate hike of 10.7 percent – less than half of PAWC’s proposed rate – was implemented.
The approval was accompanied by several motions that also required PAWC to complete an investigation of its northeastern service territory to address water quality and service issues by May 7 of this year.
“Through our advocacy efforts, we amplified concerns and made it clear that the extreme rate hikes sought by Pennsylvania Water were not sustainable for City residents and businesses,” Councilman Smurl said. “We’re going to fight back against UGI’s proposed rate increases following the same playbook.”
This week, Mayor Cognetti also reached out to mayors across the Commonwealth to have them join Scranton’s efforts. Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan also spoke at Thursday’s press conference, offering his support.
Residents and businesses are also encouraged to contact the Public Utility Commission to voice their concerns and have their rate increase questions answered. Residents and businesses are encouraged to contact the Public Utility Commission to voice their concerns over proposed rate increases. These complaints will become part of the public file for the upcoming hearing.
To contact the PUC
By letter:
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Bureau of Consumer Services
P.O. Box 3265
Harrisburg, PA 17105
By phone:
1-800-692-7380
By form:
Consumers can officially register their objections by using a copy of the “Comment on Proposed Rate Increase Form” at https://www.puc.pa.gov/filing-resources/forms/complaint-forms/
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ABOUT THE CITY OF SCRANTON: Incorporated in 1866, the City of Scranton has a population of approximately 76,000 residents and is the sixth-largest municipality in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Scranton City Hall is located at 340 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18503. Residents requiring services should visit www.scrantonpa.gov
ABOUT MAYOR PAIGE G. COGNETTI: Paige G. Cognetti was sworn in as the 36th Mayor of Scranton in January 2020. Her administration is focused on driving economic growth, upgrading infrastructure, ensuring public safety, fostering government transparency and efficiency, and improving residents’ overall quality of life.
Last modified: February 14, 2025
