Southeastern Pennsylvania’s largest natural gas utilities–PECO, NFG, PGW, Columbia, Equitable, UGI, UGI Penn, and Peoples– averaged a 41% cut in rates for consumers from 2008 to 2011, equating to nearly $3,200 in average savings per customer during that period. Researchers recently found that in 2012, because of reduced natural gas prices, consumers have an additional $1,200 in their pocket, as recently reported by the Wall Street Journal. While all Americans are realizing cost savings as a result of increased natural gas development, the proximity of Pennsylvania consumers to the Marcellus allow for additional cost savings through the reduction/elimination of long-haul pipeline transportation costs.