Natural Gas winter rates approved by PSC

Natural gas prices will change in West Virginia come Nov. 1, with customers seeing minimal increases and drops based on their provider, after the state Public Service Commission recently gave approval to interim winter rates.

“Some companies have gone up a little; some companies have gone down a little,” said Jackie Roberts, West Virginia consumer advocate. “It still reflects much lower prices than we had a few years ago when (natural) gas was very expensive.”

The rates are based on a number of factors including the current cost the companies are paying for natural gas on the wholesale market.

The natural gas company with the most customers in the state, Mountaineer Gas, has been granted close to a 3 percent increase. Roberts said the average customer’s bill will rise from $89.47 a month to $93.30.

Customers for Hope Gas will see a decrease in their average bill, dropping from $98.63 to $95.71.

The PSC will finalize the winter rates in February. Roberts said the rates could change if there’s a very cold winter.