Cascade Natural Gas customers saw a 12% increase on November 1st, 2013.
An average Central Oregon home uses 135 therms per month during the cold winter months, a 12% natural gas rate increase will mean another $15 on the gas bill each month.
KTVZ news reports the increase is due to the Oregon Public Utility Committees (PUC) annual review. The PUC is in place to keep utility company rates in line with wholesale prices and say that the large increase is “misleading” because it comes on the heels of a 17% rate decrease the previous year. There are three Natural Gas providers in Oregon and even with the rate hike, Central Oregon boasts the lowest Natural Gas rate.
Read the more about the PUC and Natural Gas Rates in Oregon here or at KTVZ.com