PA Public Utility Commission Releases Staff Report on PGW Infrastructure Improvement Program
Posted on: Apr 21, 2015Today, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), the regulatory body that oversees PGW, issued a Staff Report regarding PGW’s infrastructure improvement program. The Report – composed in a collegial and collaborative nature as is most of our work with the PUC – includes recommendations on our Long-term Infrastructure Improvement Plan (LTIIP), which the PUC describes as “areas of opportunity.”
While we take the time to carefully review the full Report, it’s clear that PGW and the PUC share a common goal: provide and maintain a safe and reliable natural gas infrastructure for the people and businesses of Philadelphia. Here at PGW, safety is paramount. Each of us at PGW is committed to the safety of our customers, employees, and to the entire City, as we reliably supply natural gas that our community needs, and enhance our already existing infrastructure improvement plan.
The Report recognizes the safety-first, well-managed nature of our Long Term Infrastructure Improvement Plan, and has highlighted seven areas of opportunity going forward:
- Increase Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) rate above current cap of 5 percent.
- Annualize DSIC-eligible costs.
- Issue new debt.
- Adjust cash management practices.
- Request to the City of Philadelphia to waive PGW’s annual $18mm fee.
- Streamline the company’s governance structure.
- Consolidate PGW facilities.
It is part of the PUC’s role to monitor and review programs such as ours, and to identify areas where progress can be enhanced. Like the PUC, PGW recognizes the need for our accelerated pipeline improvement plans, and the importance of reviewing those plans regularly.
We thank the PUC staff for preparing this report, under the safety-focused leadership of PUC Chairman Powelson, and we especially thank him for commending PGW’s involvement during its preparation. This report is an important addition to the conversation around infrastructure upgrades and we look forward to continuing to explore areas for improvement and acceleration with the Chairman, the Commissioners and all the dedicated staff at the PUC.
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