The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; to protect the public interest; to educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; to further economic development; and to foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. The PA PUC has engaged consumer advocates and industry experts in efforts to mitigate any price increases in future natural gas prices. This includes working to educate consumers; developing strategies to help suppliers provide competitive natural gas service; approving phase-in or pre-payment plans; updating low-income programs that provide customer assistance; and implementing default service pricing that reflects the least cost to consumers over the long term. We are also continuing to implement reasonable, cost-effective programs that consumers and companies can implement to conserve energy or use it more efficiently.