Burns strongly opposes Peoples Gas rate increase
Letter to PUC cites surging inflation, residents on fixed incomes
Northwest Delegation April 16, 2026 | 9:51 AM
JOHNSTOWN, April 16 — Saying proposed rate hikes by Peoples Natural Gas Company would unfairly burden residents who can least afford it, state Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria, wrote to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission this week expressing his strong opposition to the increase.
“In my district, many residents are older and on fixed incomes, or struggle generally to make ends meet,” Burns wrote to PUC Chairman Stephen M. DeFrank. “Even before surging inflation rates and tariffs hiked the price of everyday goods, Johnstown was labeled the poorest small city in America. My constituents simply cannot bear a rate increase on top of all the other rising costs.”
Peoples last month filed a request with the PUC to raise the average monthly bill by approximately $16. The company, which would bring in a total of $163.2 million annually from the increase, says it’s needed because of the costs associated with upgrading its infrastructure.
______________________________________________________________________
“My constituents simply cannot bear a rate increase on top of all the other rising costs.” – Rep. Burns
______________________________________________________________________
Peoples serves approximately 700,000 homes and businesses across 18 counties, including Cambria County.
Burns’ full letter is available here.
###