Dominion wants guaranteed money...even if you use less gas

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 4:17 pm

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2007 ... add_4.html

Dominion East Ohio Gas Co. said today it will seek a 4 percent rate increase within 30 days that would drive up average residential bills $4.50 a month and guarantee revenues per customer even if consumers use less gas.

The utility said it would argue to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio that it makes money only on delivery charges, not on the sale of the gas. Higher gas prices, consumer conservation efforts and warm weather have cut gas consumption -- reducing the utility's profits.

The request to the PUCO will therefore include a provision to keep the utility's overall revenues per customer the same even if consumers dial back the thermostat, or add extra insulation.

Dominion also wants to install automated gas meters in the homes and businesses of all 1.2 million customers, as the PUCO suggested last year, eliminating every-other-month estimates. It did not say who would pay for the new meters.

The utility also announced its rate hike request would include more money for customer conservation programs, for which it now budgets $3.5 million per year. The programs are aimed at lower-income families.

As with any rate increase case, the request would require public hearings, and the company does not anticipate winning the increase until next year.

Dominion's last rate increase was in 1994.

Well that certainly makes me want to conserve more so Dominion can have profits off of gas I don't even use.

I really hate monopolies...

Jim DeVito · Post by **Jim DeVito** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 5:48 pm

The utility also announced its rate hike request would include more money for customer conservation programs, for which it now budgets $3.5 million per year. The programs are aimed at lower-income families.

Does that mean they would take the extra money from gas you donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t use, and use it to teach you how to use less gas?

Stephen Eisel · Post by **Stephen Eisel** » Fri Jul 20, 2007 9:10 pm

They must have learned that from that BP, Exxon and etc...

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:29 am

How in the world can they increase rates????? We were told that gas would be less last year and it was so high it increased our budget to a really nice car payment size! What is going on? That would be the straw for me. I love the big old houses here but not willing to pay a gas bill equivalent to a mortgage.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:34 am

You know what really bothers me? Our gas goes up EVEN HIGHER to pay for lower income, in a country where tons of ice was turned away after Katrina hit in New Orleans and THE GOVERNMENT PAID 16 MILLION DOLLARS TO STORE IT UNTIL THEY FINALLY LET IT MELT! The "government" meaning our tax dollars. But yea go and raise our gas prices now to pay for low income.

Bryan Schwegler · Post by **Bryan Schwegler** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:37 am

Justine Cooper wrote:How in the world can they increase rates????? We were told that gas would be less last year and it was so high it increased our budget to a really nice car payment size! What is going on? That would be the straw for me. I love the big old houses here but not willing to pay a gas bill equivalent to a mortgage.

Justine I agree. However, what bothers me most isn't the actual rate increase, it's the fact that they are trying to get money for gas not even used.

They can raise prices, but I as a consumer should be given the right to cut back on my use or increase efficiency to cut my spending. However Dominion is saying that even if I do those things, they still want the right to get paid for nothing essentially.

I can already see the lawsuits against the State of Ohio if they actually approve that.

Stephen Eisel · Post by **Stephen Eisel** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 9:51 am

If I rememebr coorectly, BP is actually pumping NG back into the ground in Alaska.. If they could build another line next to the Alask pipeline then this would help meet demands.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 10:12 am

I don't see how they can raise rates period but how could they get away with what they are trying to do? I feel much better with Strickland in Ohio than before! Can we start petitions now?????

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 11:04 am

Contact the PUCO and find out what rights consumers have in the decision making on this.

Contact local Stated Rep. - Mike Skindell
State Sen. Dale Miller

I'm sure they will be open and willing to help.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:09 pm

Thank you I will write to any I can and I am sure I can get others to write. Hey Jim how about a LO story on this? With the old homes in Lakewood that lack insulation, we cannot afford for this to happen!

sharon kinsella · Post by **sharon kinsella** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 9:16 am

This is an FYI - I googled the PUCO. They have a website that tells you about pending hearings etc.

Could not find anything about the request for an increase of any hearing about Dominion's request.

However, there is a set up for contacting them by email with concerns.

I sent in a complaint about the request made by Dominion and I suggest that others may want to do the same.

Justine Cooper · Post by **Justine Cooper** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:55 am

Thank you I will. Write an article for the LO hard copy Sharon and get a lot of people to write@!!!!

Dominion wants guaranteed money...even if you use less gas

Dominion wants guaranteed money...even if you use less gas

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