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Washington Gas rates going up
(Published November 17, 2003)

Residential and business customers of Washington Gas are about to see their natural gas bills rise, just as freezing temperatures arrive in the District.

The D.C. Public Service Commission granted a $5.377 million rate increase to Washington Gas on Nov. 10. The approved rate increase was less than a third of the $18.8 million that the gas company had requested.

The commission’s ruling said new increased rates can become effective on or after Nov. 24.

Washington Gas spokesman Tim Sargeant said company officials were still analyzing the commission’s ruling.

"We’re very pleased that the commission honored its commitment to render a quick decision," Sargeant said.

Washington Gas filed its request for a rate increase with the commission in February, originally seeking a $14.1 million annual increase.

At the end of March, the commission ended a lengthy investigation into the "reasonableness" of the company’s rates by ordering implementation of a $5.4 million a year rate reduction. Washington Gas lowered its rates in April to comply with that order in a case brought by the D.C. Office of the People’s Counsel, which argued that the gas company was overcharging its customers.

Washington Gas serves about 150,000 natural gas customers in the District.