Many West Virginians could pay a lower total cost of their utility bills this year if utility rates continue on the same trend they have followed that past few years.
According to a report released by the state Public Service Commission’s Consumer Advocate Division, residential customers’ combined utility rates decreased by 5.3 percent statewide last year. That includes gas, water, electricity and phone services.
The study says the average West Virginian is currently paying $15 dollars less per month for utility bills. Last month, people paid a total utility bills cost of $277.22 compared to a total cost of $292.81 in January of 2012.
In 2008, utility rates jumped more than 15 percent. That was followed by decreases of 2 percent in 2010 and more than 11 percent in 2009. Then in 2011, residents saw rates go up 2 percent before last years decrease.
If this trend in utility bills continues, West Virginians can look forward to even cheaper utility bills this year.
According to the report, between 2008 and 2013 monthly residential utility rates have decreased more than 4 percent.
Electricity rates, in the past, have been the main culprit for total utility bills going up for residential customers, the report states. But last year, electricity rates declined or remained stable for the first time in five years.
Since 2008, electricity bills have increased more than 38 percent while natural gas bills have decreased nearly 30 percent.
According to the report, it’s the continuous declining natural gas rates that will ultimately lead to lower utility bills.
