Duke Seeks Natural Gas Distribution Rate Increase

Image

Duke Energy Ohio is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to increase natural gas distribution charges paid by residential consumers.

If Duke’s proposal is approved as filed, a typical residential consumer using 10 Mcf of natural gas per month would pay more than $24 per month extra – over $288 more per year.

Duke also proposes increasing its reconnection fee to $164 – $94 more than the current fee.

And this is not the only rate increase Duke is seeking. Duke also has a pending request to increase its electric distribution rates. If approved as filed, that proposal would increase the average residential electric bill by more than $8 per month.

OCC Is Protecting Consumers

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) has intervened in Duke’s natural gas rate case on behalf of Duke’s nearly 430,000 residential natural gas consumers.

OCC’s case team will scrutinize Duke’s proposed increase and advocate for residential rates that are reasonable, lawful, and affordable.

Ohio families are already struggling with inflation and rising energy costs. OCC will urge the PUCO to carefully consider what another utility rate increase would mean for Southwest Ohio consumers – particularly those who can least afford it.

In Cincinnati, 25.7% of residents live in poverty and 40.6% live below 200% of the federal poverty level.

Want to Know More?

OCC’s Motion to Intervene: https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/DocumentRecord.aspx?DocID=58f36b6f-95dd-42b0-aeac-19c1cea8ed08

PUCO Case Docket: https://dis.puc.state.oh.us/CaseRecord.aspx?Caseno=26-0635&link=DIVA

Questions?

This Consumer Alert will be updated as hearings and major case developments occur.

Contact your consumer advocate, the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel: 1-877-742-5622 or occ@occ.ohio.gov.