Gas bills going up for about 34K Ohioans

COLUMBUS , Ohio (WJW) — Some 34,000 customers of natural gas distributor Northeast Ohio Natural Gas can expect an increase in their bills, now that state regulators have approved a settlement in the case for its rate increase.

Under the settlement agreement signed March 19 by the distributor, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the distributor is expected to raise its annual revenue by $2.4 million, according to a news release.

A residential customer using 10,000 cubic feet of natural gas per month can expect an increase to their monthly bill between $2.67 and $4.70, according to the release.

Northeast Ohio Natural Gas serves about 34,000 customers, mostly in Wayne, Holmes and Fairfield counties, but also in Lorain, Medina, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas counties, according to its service map .

The distributor asked for a $5.9 million increase in annual revenue in its application — more than double the settled amount, according to the release.

Northeast Ohio Natural Gas will start a capital expenditure program to recoup costs for system improvements over the next three years, according to the release. It will also put $15,000 into a payment assistance program for low-income customers.

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