By David Beard, The Dominion Post
MORGANTOWN – Parties involved in one of two Hope Gas rate hike cases this week offered alternative proposals ranging from a reduced hike to no hike at all.
The case they’re commenting on is Hope’s annual Pipeline and Expansion Program – PREP – application. PREP program charges are authorized in state code for “cost recovery of projects to replace, upgrade, and expand natural gas utility infrastructure that are deemed to be just and reasonable and in the public interest.”
Hope filed the case with the Public Service Commission in May. Under its proposal, residential customers would see rate increases ranging from $1.62 to $2.06 per month.
PSC Utilities Analyst Nathan Crouch proposed a lower rate schedule for Hope’s various customers. He told the PSC that utilities staff recommends several adjustments that lower Hope’s revenue requirements.