Continuing its run as one of the most successful customer choiceprograms in the country, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania said lastweek its interim restructuring filing was approved by thePennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC). The decision allowsall 382,000 of Columbia’s residential and small-commercialcustomers the right to choose a new supplier effective Nov. 1.

Besides opening all of Columbia’s service territory in thestate, the filing also allows Columbia to offer 11 supplierscapacity on its interstate pipeline system and extends Columbia’sCustomer Assistance Program, which lets low-income customersreceive service on reduced payment plans.

Columbia’s program includes 14 active suppliers for customers tochose from and 19 certified suppliers overall. More than 70% of thecompany’s 382,000 customers are already able to comparison-shop fortheir own natural gas supplier. As of Oct. 1, 110,410, or nearly40% of the 278,689 eligible customers will purchase their naturalgas from an alternative supplier, the company said.

“Columbia was a major participant in the consensus-buildingprocess that led to the passage of the Natural Gas Choice andCompetition Act,” said PUC Chairman John M. Quain. “Columbia’snatural gas customer choice pilot program, which pre-dated the Act,has been a model both for Pennsylvania and the nation. We are verypleased with the cooperative effort of all parties that led to thesettlement before us today.”

As part of the Natural Gas Choice and Competition Act passed by thePennsylvania General Assembly June 17, each natural gas utility isrequired to submit a restructuring plan to the PUC (see Daily GPI, June 23). Columbia filed the restructuringplan Aug. 2. It previously offered supplier choice in seven counties– Adams, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Franklin, Washington and York

Following a schedule set by the PUC, five other utilitiesbesides Columbia have filed their restructuring plans They includePeoples Natural Gas, PG Energy, Equitable Gas, National Fuel Gasand UGI Utilities. So far, Columbia’s plan is the only one to wineven an interim approval. PECO Energy, Penn Fuel Gas and CarnegieNatural are set to file their plans Dec. 1. All utilities arescheduled to file by Feb 2, 2000.

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