Unitil (www.unitil.com) announced today that its Massachusetts based utility, Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light Company d/b/a Unitil, filed a petition with the Department of Public Utilities requesting approval of a comprehensive revenue decoupling proposal and for a change in its natural gas distribution base rates.
The Company’s revenue decoupling proposal is modeled closely on proposals already approved by the Department for other gas utilities operating in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is intended to facilitate the achievement of important public policy objectives of fostering energy efficiency, conservation and protecting the environment. The proposed distribution base rates are scheduled to change in conjunction with the implementation of revenue decoupling and are subject to the review and approval of the Department of Public Utilities.
If the Company’s petition is approved as filed, the proposed rates will result in an average increase of $7.67 on the monthly bill for a typical residential non-heating customer and an average increase of $20.41 on the monthly bill for a typical residential heating customer. Impacts for other customers will vary depending on their rate class and specific usage characteristics. The Company’s last change in its gas distribution base rates was in February, 2007.
“Unitil’s gas rates are currently among the lowest in the state”, said Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara. “Natural gas bills are currently at a five year-low for our customers and after this proposed rate change are expected to remain a safe, highly affordable option for our customers when compared to other fuels.”
The Company has also filed for approval of a comprehensive revenue decoupling proposal and associated change in its electric distribution rates. Details of the proposed change in electric rates are included in a separate release.
