Hearing set for proposed Southwest Gas rate hike
Submitted by editor on Tue, 09/08/2015 - 3:41pm
There will be a Sept. 15 public hearing in Carson City on a proposed rate application by Southwest Gas for its customers. The utility proposes to increase the average Northern Nevada residential customer monthly bill an estimated $2.13 during summer and $7.63 in winter.
The proposed rate increase for southern Nevada customers would see a monthly bill adjustment estimated at $1.30 in summer and $3.78 in winter. If approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, the company proposes the rate changes take effect Jan. 1, 2016.
The Nevada PUC has scheduled the Sept. 15 hearing in Carson City and a video conference in Las Vegas to gather public comment regarding the annual rate adjustment application. Nevada law requires natural gas utilities to file annual rate adjustment applications to review the reasonableness and prudence of gas costs for the past year.
In addition to this review, this application adjusts the tracking rates for variable interest expense and unrecovered gas cost expense. Also adjusted are program rates for energy efficiency and conservation, and renewable energy. Rates that only affect transportation customers (industrial and large commercial customers) are also adjusted, according to the PUC.
The annual rate adjustment application is separate from applications that adjust the general rates and the quarterly gas cost filings that pass-through the recorded costs of natural gas. The overall effect of the proposed rate changes result in increased monthly customer charges in Southern and Northern Nevada.
The consumer session is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada Hearing Room A, 1150 E. William St. in Carson City.
For southern Nevada customers the meeting will be via videoconference in Hearing Room A of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, 9075 West Diablo Drive, Suite 250 in Las Vegas.
Public comment at the consumer session will be limited to the contents of the annual rate adjustment application. Southwest Gas Corporation representatives will be present to answer questions. For information about the consumer session, contact the PUCN at (775) 684-6101 or (702) 486-7210.
Information about Southwest Gas Corporation’s application can be found on the PUCN’s website at www.puc.nv.gov. From the top navigational bar on the home page, select Dockets, followed by Gas Dockets. Scroll to docket number 15-06007 and click View. A hearing in this docket is scheduled for Nov. 17.
