North East Heat & Light Transition to National Fuel
On April 16, 2026, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) approved National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation’s (National Fuel) purchase of North East Heat & Light Company (NEHL). Assuming the transaction closes as expected, we are currently planning for the transition to occur on or about May 1, 2026.
What This Means for You
Your natural gas service will continue without interruption, and there is nothing you need to do. Assuming the transaction closes as expected, you will receive your final bill from NEHL in early May, reflecting service provided prior to the closing of the transaction. Although this bill will be issued by NEHL, payment should be made to National Fuel. The address on this final bill from NEHL will reflect the address where payment should be mailed.
Beginning in June 2026, you will begin receiving your natural gas bills from National Fuel. Your first National Fuel bill will reflect natural gas service provided during May 2026, following the closing of the transaction.
About Your Service and Rates
As previously communicated during the regulatory approval process:
- Base distribution rates will initially remain the same as current NEHL rates.
- These base rates will not change unless and until they are modified through a future base rate proceeding before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, in which customers and other interested parties may participate.
- Customers will transition to National Fuel’s Purchased Gas Cost (PGC) rate, which reflects the cost of natural gas supply and is passed through to customers without markup.
- Customers will have the ability to choose a licensed natural gas supplier (marketer) in Pennsylvania’s competitive natural gas market. All Pennsylvania natural gas utilities, including National Fuel, are required to provide a list of customers eligible (Eligible Customer List or ECL) to shop for competitive natural gas supplies to licensed Natural Gas Suppliers. After the transition to National Fuel, you’ll get a letter with more details, including options for opting out or choosing your data sharing preferences.
- Customer bills will also include certain National Fuel tariff riders applicable to all customers.
- In addition, National Fuel expects to seek PUC approval to implement the Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) for the acquired system. If approved by the PUC, this charge would take effect in the future and would support ongoing safety and infrastructure improvements.
Payment Options
Effective May 1, 2026, the payment drop box at NEHL will be CLOSED.
Payment should be sent to National Fuel at
PO Box 2081
Erie, PA 16512
For assistance with payment options, contact National Fuel at 1-800-365-3234.
National Fuel offers several convenient ways to pay your bill, including online, by phone, by mail, and at authorized National Fuel in-person payment locations.
Once you receive your first bill from National Fuel, you may make payments at local third-party payment sites including:
Sander’s Market
109 West Main Street
North East, PA
And any Western Union payment location where bill payment services are accepted. Locations where Western Union payments are commonly accepted include, for example, Giant Eagle. Payments made at these third-party sites may incur nominal processing fees (charged by the payment agent, not National Fuel).
Automatic Payments & Paperless Billing
If you were previously enrolled in automatic payments (AutoPay) with NEHL and/or paperless billing, that enrollment will not automatically transfer to National Fuel. You will have the opportunity to enroll in National Fuel’s AutoPay and Paperless Billing programs once your new account is established. Importantly, AutoPay will be deactivated prior to the issuance of your final bill from NEHL (which will be issued in May 2026). You will need to make payment using the methods specified in the “Payment Options” section.
Budget Billing
If you participate in budget billing, your plan will transition to National Fuel’s Budget Plan, which may be reviewed periodically to better align monthly payments with your natural gas usage.
Customer Assistance Programs
National Fuel offers a variety of programs designed to help customers manage their energy bills.
These programs include:
- National Fuel’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP)
- Energy efficiency and conservation programs
- Payment Arrangements
Additional information about these programs (as well as eligibility) is included in the welcome packet and on the transition website.
Deposits
If NEHL holds a deposit in connection with your gas service as of the closing of the transaction, that deposit will transfer to your National Fuel account.
Landlord Agreements
Existing landlord agreements with NEHL will not automatically transfer to National Fuel. Property owners or customers who wish to establish a landlord agreement or other billing arrangement should contact National Fuel Customer Service for assistance at 1-800-365-3234 or visit the landlord program website to learn more about the program.
Additional Information and Welcome Packet
Enclosed with this letter is a welcome packet that provides additional information about National Fuel and the transition of service. The packet includes:
- A welcome message from National Fuel’s President.
- Safety and natural gas service information.
- Information about payment options and customer assistance programs.
- Additional details about National Fuel services and customer resources.
Customer Support
If you have questions about the transition or your account, please contact:
National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
Customer Service: 1-800-365-3234
Website: www.nationalfuel.com
Gas Emergencies
For gas emergencies, contact NEHL until your account moves to National Fuel. After transition, call 1-800-444-3130, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to report gas emergencies.
Review our welcome newsletter for more details.
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North East Heat & Light Customer Open House
November 3, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
North East Elementary School Cafeteria
50 Division Street, North East, PA
View materials from the open house.
Letter to North East Heat & Light Customers and Open House Invite
In anticipation of his future retirement, Sam Miller, owner and president of North East Heat & Light Company (NEHL), began an exploratory process to identify the right company to carry NEHL forward. He approached National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation (National Fuel), the natural gas utility serving the rest of Erie County and surrounding NEHL’s current service area, to discuss a potential sale.
Following a thorough review and mutual due diligence, and with the best interests of NEHL customers in mind, NEHL and National Fuel reached an agreement for National Fuel to acquire NEHL’s natural gas system, including all assets and service responsibilities. In October of 2025, a joint application was submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) seeking approval for the acquisition.
The approval process is expected to take several months. Additional details about the proposed acquisition, including how to submit feedback to the PUC, will be shared throughout.
During this time, there will be no changes to your natural gas service, and you will continue to be a NEHL customer. For questions regarding your service or bills, please contact NEHL at 1-814-725-4302.
For questions related to National Fuel, please contact NEHLCustomers@natfuel.com or 1-814-871-8101.
Both companies are committed to ensuring a seamless transition for customers. As a highly regarded utility provider, National Fuel is well-equipped to invest in system safety, reliability, and customer service to meet North East’s energy needs for years to come.
In addition, small business customers may contact the Pennsylvania Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA), an independent state agency that assists and represents Pennsylvania small business utility customers, with any questions or concerns they have with this matter. The OSBA may be reached at osba@pa.gov or at 717-783-2525.
Similarly, residential customers may contact the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA), an independent state agency that assists and represents Pennsylvania residential/consumer customers, with any questions or concerns they have with this matter. The OCA may be reached at consumer@paoca.org or at 800-684-6560.
Looking Forward to Serving You
Founded in 1902, National Fuel is the natural gas utility for Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania, providing service to approximately 750,000 customers with a 99% service reliability rating. National Fuel offers the lowest, most affordable rates among major utilities in New York and Pennsylvania.
Our customer-focused approach has consistently earned high satisfaction rankings.
Customers benefit from:
- A user-friendly online portal to manage accounts.
- A locally staffed Erie-based call center available Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1-814-871-8200 or 1-800-365-3234.
Payment Options and Assistance Programs
National Fuel offers a variety of payment options and assistance programs.
- In addition to LIHEAP, qualifying NEHL customers with household incomes at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines will have access to Customer Assistance Program (CAP) – includes debt forgiveness and monthly bill discounts.
- Weatherization Assistance.
- Neighbor for Neighbor Hardship Fund.
- Budget Billing.
- Deferred Payment Options.
Customers are encouraged to contact us to explore available solutions. Click here to learn more about National Fuel’s customer service and programs.
Customers have several convenient options to pay their bills—online, by phone, by mail, or at authorized payment centers. Click here to learn more. The Western Union locations nearest to North East are Woodforest Bank inside Walmart in Harborcreek and Giant Eagle on Buffalo Road.
Strong Safety Culture
At National Fuel, Safety is our top priority. We invest heavily in operational safety, system integrity, and continuous improvement—backed by dedicated resources and unwavering focus.
Our gas emergency line (1-800-444-3130) is available 24/7/365. We respond to 99% of emergency calls within 45 minutes, earning us an industry-leading ranking in emergency response. To strengthen community preparedness, our Emergency Response Coordinators actively train local first responders, ensuring swift and coordinated action when it matters most.
To learn more about our safety culture, as well as our environmental stewardship and community impact, view our 2024 Corporate Responsibility Report.
Operational System Benefits
NEHL customers will benefit from National Fuel’s diverse mix of pipelines and natural gas storage assets, which:
- Enhance delivery reliability.
- Eliminate dependence on a single access point.
- Enable streamlined infrastructure integration.
- Improve system efficiency and reliability.
Over time, existing customer-owned service lines (from the street to the meter) will be replaced with new, National Fuel-owned service lines, meaning customers will no longer pay for replacements or restoration work.
Additional benefits include:
- Upgraded facilities and modernized equipment.
- Enhanced security measures.
- Increased scale, purchasing power, and strategic, hedging to reduce market price volatility.
- Customers will transition to the Gas Supply Cost Rate, which reflects the actual cost of purchasing natural gas. These costs are passed through dollar-for-dollar, with no profit to National Fuel. Because of our larger purchasing scale, we’re generally able to secure more favorable pricing. Over the past three years, the average residential NEHL customer would have saved $12.36 per month under this rate.
Your Bills
National Fuel customers enjoy low delivery rates and access to affordable Pennsylvania-produced natural gas.
No Base Rate Increase: No base rate increase requested in the application. Changes to base rates can only occur through formal PUC base rate proceeding, which NEHL customers would have an opportunity to comment on.
Minimal Bill Impact: Anticipated minimal bill impacts at the time of closing – for Residential customers, bill impact of: $1.79/month (assuming normal natural gas consumption of 84 ccf per month), as a result of charges to support important programs like continued system improvement (DSIC) and to the CAP programs.
- Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) – ensures system safety and reliability and pays for necessary upgrades.
- Customer Assistance Program (CAP) – provides debt forgiveness and a discount on monthly bills for qualifying customers (household incomes equal to or less than 150% of federal poverty income guidelines have).
Serving Our Communities
Since 1902, National Fuel has provided safe, reliable, and affordable energy while contributing to the economic health of the communities we serve. We build strong relationships by:
- Investing locally.
- Creating jobs.
- Partnering with businesses.
- Supporting hundreds of nonprofits.
In 2024, the National Fuel Gas Company Foundation and our employees donated over $1.7 million to local initiatives. Our volunteer program logged more than 4,000 hours.
To learn more about our community impact, click here.