Suburban Natural Gas Rate Case Settlement and HB15 Rules Finalized
Summary
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted a settlement allowing Suburban Natural Gas to increase annual revenues by $1.19 million, impacting approximately 20,000 customers. Additionally, PUCO finalized administrative rules implementing House Bill 15, requiring mercantile customers to be returned to their local electric distribution utilities' standard service offer within 3 business days of request.
What changed
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved a settlement agreement for Suburban Natural Gas, authorizing a $1.19 million increase in annual revenues for distribution services and setting a return on equity at 9.75%. This settlement permits the utility to continue its pipeline infrastructure replacement and capital expenditure programs through 2032, with costs subject to PUCO review. The rate increase will result in an approximate $4.73 monthly bill increase for residential customers.
In a separate action, the PUCO has issued final administrative rules to implement House Bill 15. These rules mandate that mercantile customers must be returned to their local electric distribution utilities' standard service offer within three business days of their request. Changes to the Ohio Administrative Code will be submitted for review before becoming effective. The PUCO is also continuing its pipeline infrastructure replacement program and capital expenditure program, with costs subject to review and audit.
What to do next
- Review Suburban Natural Gas's approved rate increase and its impact on customer bills.
- Ensure compliance with the new HB15 rules regarding the 3-day return of mercantile customers to standard service offers.
- Monitor the submission of Ohio Administrative Code changes to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.
Source document (simplified)
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COLUMBUS, OH (March 18, 2026) – Today the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted an unopposed settlement agreement permitting Suburban Natural Gas to increase its annual revenues for distribution service by $1.19 million and set a return on equity of 9.75%. Suburban Natural Gas serves approximately 20,000 customers in Delaware, Henry, Lucas, Marion and Wood counties.
The utility is authorized to continue its pipeline infrastructure replacement program to replace aging infrastructure and its capital expenditure program to recover incremental capital investments through 2032. Any costs under these programs are subject to PUCO review, approval and audit.
A residential customer will see an approximate $4.73 increase in their monthly bill.
In separate business, the PUCO issued final administrative rules to effectuate House Bill 15’s requirement that mercantile customers be returned to their local electric distribution utilities’ standard service offer within 3 business days of requesting to do so.
Changes to the Ohio Administrative Code will be submitted to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review before becoming effective. Read more about the PUCO rulemaking process.
Copies of today’s orders and concurring opinion of Commissioner Dan Conway (Suburban) are available on the PUCO website by clicking on the link to Docketing Information System (DIS) and searching for case 25-553-GA-AIR and 25-741-EL-ORD (administrative rules).
Resource Details
| Published: | March 18, 2026 |
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Media contact: Matt Schilling
(614) 466-7750
Matt.Schilling@puco.ohio.gov
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