PUBLIC ONLY WHINING OVER NATURAL GAS INCREASES UP TO 46%

(09/09/2008)

Written protests against huge proposed natural gas rate increases (up to 46%) are barely trickling, according to the Public Service Commission. The PSC says only 45 households have formally protested to the PSC against the state's seven largest suppliers of natural gas. There could be a benefit to customers filing more protests heading up to the Nov. 1 decision to set the interim increases. Sarah Robertson, spokeswoman for the PSC, said the more written protests the agency gets in a rate increase case, the better the chance for a public hearing at which consumers can voice their concerns. Because the rate increases won't result in higher profits for the gas companies, public hearings aren't automatic. The companies are seeking the increases to cover the increasing costs of buying natural gas. The PSC's Byron Harris, the state's consumer advocate, is encouraging customers to file protests. Customers of the seven largest companies could see the following percentage increases in their average heating bills: Bluefield Gas, 28 percent Hope Gas, 43 percent Union Oil and Gas, 20 percent Southern Public Service Co., 29 percent Consumers Energy, 42 percent Equitable Gas, 46 percent Mountaineer Gas, 42 percent Harris believes higher rates should be implemented over two years instead of all at once.

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