Southwest Gas proposes 31 cent winter rate hike adjustment for Northern Nevada customers
Southwest Gas is seeking a 2015 rate adjustment hike of around 31 cents a month in winter and 8 cents during summer for Northern Nevada customers, according to the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada.
There will be a consumer session on Thursday, Sept. 18 to hear comments regarding the annual rate adjustment application. Southwest Gas also proposes to increase the average Southern Nevada residential customer monthly bill an estimated 9 cents during the summer and 27 cents in winter. If approved by the commission, the company proposes the rate changes take effect Jan. 1, 2015.
The consumer session is scheduled for: Thursday, Sept. 18, at 6 p.m. Hearing Room A, Public Utilities Commission of Nevada, 1150 E. William St. Carson City and via videoconference at the PUC Las Vegas office, 9075 West Diablo Drive.
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. Rates that only affect transportation customers (industrial and large commercial customers) and renewable energy program rates are also adjusted in this application, according to a news release.
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.
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 All Dockets. Scroll to docket number 14-06004 and click View. A hearing in this docket is scheduled for Nov. 12.