National Fuel Raises Base Delivery Rate 3.5%
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. raised its base delivery rate by 3.5% as of November 1, 2026, while gas supply charges held steady.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Inflation
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National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. raised its base delivery rate by 3.5% as of November 1, 2026. The utility also announced no adjustment to gas supply charges for November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027.
Why it matters
The base delivery rate is the fixed amount the utility charges to deliver natural gas, so the increase applies regardless of how much gas customers use. The filing was National Fuel's first request to raise base delivery rates since 2022 and its third such request in the last 20 years.
National Fuel's 3.5% base delivery rate increase would raise a residential customer using 80,000 cubic feet per month from $83.49 to $86.43 a month, according to the filing. Supply charges were held unchanged for November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027, and it is not stated in the source whether any later adjustments are planned.
The players
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. is the natural gas utility that serves customers in parts of Pennsylvania, including the Erie area.
The details
National Fuel over-collected $7 million in post-employment benefit expenses, and eligible low-income residents will receive a one-time $30 credit. All customers will also receive a monthly credit for 12 months that reduces their bills by about $1.85 a month.
Timeline
2022: National Fuel's previous request to increase base delivery rates.
November 1, 2026: The base delivery rate increase took effect.
November 1, 2026 through January 31, 2027: No adjustment to gas supply charges.
November 9, 2026: National Fuel announced the supply charge decision.
Rate History
This is National Fuel's first base delivery rate increase request since its 2022 filing and its third such request in the past two decades. The pattern shows that the fixed delivery charge is adjusted periodically, separate from the gas supply charge that moves with commodity prices.
Residential customers will see higher fixed delivery charges on their monthly bills starting November 1, 2026, though the 12-month monthly credit of about $1.85 partially offsets the increase. Eligible low-income residents can also receive a one-time $30 credit.
The takeaway
Customers who want to understand their own bill should compare the fixed delivery charge against the separate supply charge, since only the delivery portion rose in this adjustment. Checking whether you qualify for the low-income credit can also reduce the impact on your monthly budget.
Further reading
For broader context on how prices are rising across the region, see Inflation coverage for Pennsylvania.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Go Erie.
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