OVG seeks rate bump

Details have surfaced on a base rate increase being sought by Ohio Valley Gas Corporation, Winchester, which serves the Portland area.

The utility company informed consumers in February that it was seeking approval from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission for the base rate increase, but the impact of that increase was unclear. This week, the company provided its customers with more detail on what the rate hike could mean on monthly bills.

For a customer using 50 therms with a current bill of $56.13, there would be an increase of $5.84 to $61.97, a jump of 10.4 percent.

For a customer using 100 therms with a current bill of $109.19, there would be an increase of $11.43 per month, a jump of 11.69 percent.

For a customer using 150 therms with a current bill of $139.39, there would be an increase of $17.02, a jump of 12.21 percent.

For a customer using 200 therms with a current bill of $203.63, there would be an increase of $22.61, a jump of 12.49 percent.

Base rates cover non-gas costs such as system infrastructure, maintenance, and operating expenses. The cost of the actual gas used by customers is covered by a separate IURC proceeding.

Ohio Valley Gas said that since its last base rate increase in 2012 it has spent about $19 million on its plant and equipment and has seen operating and maintenance costs increase.

Review of the proposal by the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor is expected to take eight to 10 months.

More information can be found at the IURC’s website at www.in.gov/iurc.