Study on Consumer Demand for Natural Gas Service to Begin

Study on Consumer Demand for Natural Gas Service to Begin

Penn State Extension
A bi-partisan state senate resolution passed to study the demand for natural gas service in the Commonwealth

Study on Consumer Demand for Natural Gas Service to Begin

State Senate Resolution 29 was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania State Senate on March 11th that directs the Center for Rural Pennsylvania to study the potential need for residential, commercial and industrial natural gas service in the Commonwealth. The Center will collect and analyze the following information:

• the estimated demand for natural gas service in un-served and under-served areas of the Commonwealth;

• the estimated price consumers are willing to pay for access or conversion to natural gas service;

• identify any regional differences in consumer demand and willingness to pay for natural gas service; and

• any other relevant economic information on the costs and benefits to expand natural gas distribution infrastructure.

The study will be completed by August 1, 2013.

According to the Resolution, the US Census Bureau estimates that only about 51% of PA homes are heated with natural gas. Many residents don’t have access to natural gas service due to the lack of natural gas distribution infrastructure. With the natural gas abundance in the state, the study will help determine if it may be beneficial to lower energy heating costs, provide economic development opportunities, create jobs, and lower net emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide through greater availability throughout the state.

The Senate Resolution 29 may be found here.