Arizona Corporation Commission hosting public comment session on Southwest Gas rate hike proposal
The public comment session will be held Monday, Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - The Arizona Corporation Commission will hold a public comment session on a proposed rate hike from Southwest Gas, that would increase fees by more than 11 percent for each customer.
The Arizona PIRG (Arizona Public Interest Research Group) Education Fund said that there has been "recent research about how methane gas is too costly for our health, our communities, and our economy."
Yes, according to the Arizona PIRG Education Fund, "Southwest Gas is seeking a 11.4% rate hike that includes $664,596 in 2021 membership dues for the American Gas Association and a line-extension allowance, which forces customers to pick up the tab when developers want to extend gas lines to residential and commercial properties. Shareholders, not ratepayers, should pay for such membership dues and developers should pay their own way."
If the rate hike passes, the average household cost of gas will increase to about $5.12 per month, which will provide Southwest Gas with more than $90 million.
Southwest Gas said it filed an application on December 3, 2021 with the Arizona Corporation Commission to increase their gross revenue of $90.7 million or 11.7 percent over their current revenues, they said it's to support Arizona's economic and customer growth.
The public comment session is on Monday, September 19 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you want to voice your opinion, call (866)705-2554 and then enter the code 241497#.
