PUC holds hearings in Wilkes-Barre Twp. over rate hike request
Cognetti told the hearing that customers could not keep absorbing higher utility bills.
SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Citizens’ Voice is an established regional newspaper, and the article names its reporter and includes attributable accounts from hearing participants. The short event report offers limited detail about the utility’s case or the commission’s evaluation.
- Source type — Established local newspaper with regional reporting.
- Author attribution — A named reporter is credited.
- Editorial standards — Reports attributable statements and specific proposal figures, though with limited depth.
The article gives concrete rate figures and includes comments from ratepayers, a state representative, the mayor, and UGI’s attorney. The utility’s position is represented briefly, but UGI officials did not testify and the story provides little detail about the company’s justification or the commission’s review.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The article includes the utility attorney’s rationale and notes that UGI officials did not testify, but most of the quoted voices oppose the increase. It does not explain the company’s detailed case or provide the commission’s perspective.
- Source diversity — Multiple ratepayer perspectives appear, but the utility and regulator provide little substantive input.
- Counterarguments presented — UGI’s attorney briefly says the company merits a fair return on its investments.
- Omitted context — The story does not detail the utility’s evidence for the requested increase or the commission’s assessment.
The article reports the rate request and hearing with mostly straightforward language, attributing criticism to speakers and including UGI’s attorney’s defense. Most quoted ratepayers oppose the increase, but that reflects the hearing comments presented rather than overt editorial framing.
- Language tone — Mostly factual wording, with criticism presented as attributed quotes.
- Source selection — Several opponents of the increase are quoted, alongside UGI’s attorney.
- Framing — The story centers on a public hearing and the rate proposal without an explicit verdict.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission held hearings on UGI’s request for an approximately 8% gas-rate increase. Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti and other speakers objected, citing the burden on ratepayers; UGI’s attorney defended the company’s return on investment.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission held public hearings as UGI Utilities’ gas division seeks an approximately 8% rate increase. Under the proposal, the average monthly customer bill would rise from $113 to $123. UGI provides natural gas service to 690,000 customers in 46 Pennsylvania counties.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti argued that customers could not bear the increase and said UGI made substantial profits at ratepayers’ expense. State Rep. Jamie Walsh also opposed another increase, citing the difficulty fixed-income residents face making ends meet. UGI attorney Garrett Lent said the company continually invests in its products and deserves a fair return; UGI officials did not testify at the hearing.
Community verdict
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People in this story
SWIPE →Scranton mayor and congressional candidate who opposed UGI’s proposed rate increase
U.S. representative identified as Cognetti’s opponent in the 8th Congressional District race
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