Unitil (www.unitil.com) announced today that it has filed a petition with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission requesting approval of a change in its natural gas distribution base rates.
If the Company’s petition is approved as filed, the proposed rates will result in an increase on average of approximately $10.19 per month (approximately 6 percent) for a residential heating customer during the winter (December-May). This estimate is based on an average residential winter usage of 105 therms per month. However, winter heating costs will still remain well below 2007 levels when supply costs were higher. In the summer, residential heating customers would see an increase of approximately $6.10 to monthly bills. This estimate is based on an average residential summer usage of 26 therms per month. Impacts for other customers will vary depending on their rate class and specific usage characteristics.
The filed rate case will bring rates in line with current operating expenses and with the Company’s continuing investments in safety related facilities and equipment, and the new rates will help continue to fund pipe replacement projects in New Hampshire. All bare steel and cast iron within the New Hampshire system is scheduled to be replaced with state-of-the-art plastic by 2018, bringing the New Hampshire system to the highest standard of safety and positioning the Company for further expansion of natural gas sales to residents and businesses alike. This is the first base rate case in ten years and the proposed changes reflect the benefits from Unitil’s acquisition of Northern Utilities in 2008.
“Natural gas bills are currently approaching a five year-low for our customers thanks to lower supply costs,” Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said. “After this proposed rate increase occurs natural gas will still remain a safe, highly affordable option for our customers when compared to other fuels.”
