Looking to get to the bottom of current and forecasted high natural gas prices, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) presided over a special public hearing Thursday where it received testimony from utilities, consumers groups and government officials. The groups testified on current and projected natural gas prices, the forecasted supply and demand, programs to help consumers, and ways to increase consumer awareness related to gas prices for this winter. “This special hearing is an important first step for addressing potentially high natural gas prices,” said PUC Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli, who organized the hearing. Under the informal en banc hearing process, the commissioners posed questions to the speakers after their testimony. The speakers explained how higher natural gas prices during the upcoming heating season are going to affect their agencies, homes, businesses and funding abilities for 2003-04. “We look forward to working with each of the panel members in the days and months ahead as we learn more about what prices will be for the winter and what programs are available to Pennsylvania consumers,” said PUC Chairman Terrance J. Fitzpatrick.

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