Natural Gas Utilties Seeking Adjustments

• {West Virginia}...Two of the state's largest natural gas utilties are seeking adjustments for the 2011-2012 heating season. Dominion is asking for a 44 percent increase, while Mountaineer Gas is hoping to decrease its rates. The two companies serve almost 90 percent of the residential market in West Virginia. The requested rates are not yet approved and could be different in the final orders issued at the end of the month. If approved, Dominion's increase change would take an average residential customer's bill from about $61 per month to about $74 per month. Mountaineer Gas is seeking a 9 percent decrease for purchased gas. That would take an average monthly residential bill from about $73 to about $69. New rates go into effect November 1st.