HARRISBURG — Peoples TWP has filed a request with the state Public Utility Commission for a rate increase.

If the request is approved, the natural gas bill for a residential customer would increase 28.4 percent, from $79.22 to $101.71 at month. The bill for a commercial customer would increase 5.4 percent, from $208.53 to $219.77. The bill for an industrial customer would increase 3.4 percent, from $2,951 to $3,052.

The rate change is subject to examination by the PUC, which will schedule hearings.

If approved, the company said that it anticipates the rates would go into effect June 29, but PUC spokesman Jennifer Kocher said it could happen later.

She said that the rates could go into effect by that date if the filing is not contested. However, she said that most rate increase requests are contested.

If that occurs, hearings will take at least nine months.

Kocher said the PUC has not received the paperwork for the request.

Forms for filing complaints can be obtained on request to the PUC, P.O. Box 3265, Harrisburg, PA 17105.