Cumberland Proposes Doubling the Monthly Fixed Charge for Natural Gas

Ohio Cumberland Gas Company is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to more than double the fixed monthly charge it collects from residential consumers before any gas is even used. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) is analyzing the proposal and will be advocating to protect consumers.

If the utility’s proposal is approved, the fixed monthly charge that consumers pay just to receive natural gas service would increase from $10 per month to $21 per month representing a 110 percent increase. That’s an additional $132 per year, regardless of how much or how little natural gas a household uses.

This type of fixed charge increase can especially harm low-use consumers, including seniors and lower-income Ohioans who take steps to conserve energy or use less gas. All Cumberland consumers would pay this higher charge in addition to the usage-based supply and delivery charges already on their bills.

At a time when many Ohio families are facing financial challenges, fixed charge hikes like this one can make utility bills less affordable even when people are trying to cut back.

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) will be advocating on behalf of residential consumers in this case. Our team is focused on making sure consumers are treated fairly and don’t pay more than is reasonable. You can help make your voice heard by submitting a public comment to the PUCO or speaking at the public hearing.

Want to Know More?

OCC’s Motion to Intervene on behalf of Cumberland’s residential gas consumers is available here: https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/DocumentRecord.aspx?DocID=ec4ad85b-ee70-466f-90fa-f115ade228f6

You can view all filings in the case at this PUCO docket link: https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/CaseRecord.aspx?CaseNo=24-0862

Questions?

Call or e-mail your advocate, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, at 1-877-742-5622 or occ@occ.ohio.gov.