The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is reminding consumers about upcoming in-person and telephonic hearings to gather public input on a proposed natural gas distribution rate increase requested by UGI Utilities Inc. Gas Division.

UGI has asked for a $99.368 million increase in annual operating revenues, an 8.05% hike. The company provides natural gas distribution service to about 690,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 46 Pennsylvania counties.

Two in-person public input hearings will be held Monday in Allentown. The hearings are scheduled for 1 and 6 p.m. in City Council chambers at Allentown City Hall, 435 Hamilton St.

Two telephonic public input hearings will be held Thursday at 1 and 6 p.m. The PUC encouraged consumers to preregister for the call-in hearings.

To participate by phone, callers should dial 1-877-874-1047 and enter PIN 11738422 when prompted. Callers will then be asked to say their name and press the pound key.

Consumers can preregister by contacting PUC legal assistant Pamela McNeal at 215-560-4228 or by email at pmcneal@pa.gov. Those registering should provide their first and last name, the phone number they will use to call in, an alternate contact number, and an email address, if available.

The PUC warned that failure to preregister could result in a participant not being called to testify. A household member may register on behalf of others, but must provide the required information for each person. Those who need an interpreter are encouraged to register as soon as possible to allow time for arrangements. The telecommunications relay service number for those who are deaf or hearing-impaired is 711.

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate, which represents utility customers before the PUC, can be reached at 1-800-684-6560 or consumer@paoca.org.

The PUC encouraged consumers planning to testify to prepare their statements in advance. Written remarks may be read aloud during the hearing. Testimony becomes part of the official record, and participants may be asked questions to clarify their statements.

UGI filed the request Jan. 28. The PUC on Feb. 19 formally suspended the proposed rate change to allow for a full investigation into whether the rates are lawful, just and reasonable.

Under the proposal, the average monthly bill for a residential customer using 68.7 hundred cubic feet of natural gas would rise from $113.64 to $123.55, an 8.7% increase.

A final decision from the PUC is due by Oct. 29.