The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) issued an Order approving a proposed settlement with some modifications and allowing Columbia Gas of Kentucky (Columbia), a subsidiary of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), an increase in total revenues of $18.3 million, or 11.03 percent.
“We appreciate the PSC’s thorough review of our rate adjustment request,” said Columbia Gas of Kentucky President & Chief Operating Officer Kimra H. Cole.
With the Dec. 28 Order, the monthly customer charge for residential accounts will increase from $16 to $19.75, effective January 2, 2022. The volumetric delivery charge for residential customers will increase from $3.5665 to $5.2528 per 1,000 cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas consumed. These changes apply only to the delivery charge portion of a customer’s bill and translate to an increase of $6.97 on an average residential customer’s monthly bill and $21.34 on an average commercial customer’s bill.
While some rates are increasing, customers will see a decrease in other charges, including:
- Reconnect Charge – decrease from $25 to $20
- Returned Payment Charge – decrease from $15 to $14
- Seasonal Reconnect Charge – decrease from $128 to $20 for residential customers and from $357.52 to $20 for commercial customers
Along with these changes, the current charge for Columbia’s Safety Modification Replacement Program (SMRP) will be reduced to zero. The SMRP is Columbia’s proactive approach to improving its system through programs designed to replace aging infrastructure, etc.
“The decision to request an increase in delivery rates was not made lightly,” Cole said. “We recognize that the pandemic has created a wave of economic hardships for many people and we have worked hard to connect our customers with various forms of assistance for which they may qualify.”
Customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill – regardless of their income – are encouraged to contact Columbia Gas of Kentucky to determine what help might be available to them. It is the company’s goal to work with customers to identify solutions, and more information is available at ColumbiaGasKY.com/assistance.
The PSC’s Order and other records in the case are available at the PSC’s website at https://psc.ky.gov/Case/ViewCaseFilings/2021-00183.
