Vectren rate increase hearing is set for Thursday

An oil drilling rig stands lit in Carroll County in 2013 when there was talk of an unstoppable shale “boom” in Ohio. Natural gas from shale wells was increasing at the time. Plain Dealer.

An oil drilling rig stands lit in Carroll County in 2013 when there was talk of an unstoppable shale “boom” in Ohio. Natural gas from shale wells was increasing at the time. Plain Dealer.

State regulators are considering a rate increase for Vectren customers, and the first of three regional public hearings on the matter will be Thursday in Dayton.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) recently scheduled the hearings to give customers a chance to express views on Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio’s proposal to raise gas distribution rates.

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A commonly used benchmark for the average natural gas customer is 100 Ccf, or cubic feet, of gas usage. The price of natural gas is always tied to markets and changes monthly.

Under a recent PUCO staff recommendation, a 100 Ccf user would see their Vectren bill increase by $2.58 a month. The commission will vote on the recommendation after a Dec. 4 evidentiary hearing in Columbus.

The first local hearing is 6 p.m. Thursday at the Dayton Municipal Building, in the council chambers on the second floor, 101 W. Third St.

Other hearings are set for 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Fayette Commission on Aging, 1179 S. Elm Street, Washington, Court House; and 6 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Sidney Municipal Building, council chambers, 201 W. Poplar St.

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Those who testify at the local hearings will have their comments added to the case record.

Consumers may also submit comments online at www.PUCO.ohio.gov  or by mail addressed to the PUCO at 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215.

Correspondence should include the case numbers 18-49-GA-ALT, 18-298-GA-AIR,18-299-GA-ALT.

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