Chattanooga Gas Company filed a petition Feb. 15 with the Tennessee Public Utility Commission requesting to increase service rates by $6.1 million annually. The company proposed a 27.75 percent increase to rates for residential and small commercial customers. The company last increased service rates in 2010.
The Commission held a public hearing from Aug. 20-22 in Nashville to consider the company’s rate request. The Consumer Protection and Advocate Division of the Attorney General’s Office and the Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association were both granted interventions and participated in the hearing.
After considering all evidence and positions presented by the participants to the hearing, the Commission made its decision at a publicly held conference on Monday. The Commission determined that additional annual revenue of $1.4 million, which equates to an overall 4.36 percent increase, is sufficient for Chattanooga Gas Company to continue provisioning safe and reliable service while also providing the company’s shareholders with a fair return on their investment. The Commission’s decision authorizes the company to increase residential service rates by $1 per month.
The mission of the Tennessee Public Utility Commission is to ensure the safe and reliable provision of the public utility services to the citizens of Tennessee. TPUC strives to serve the best interests of the public in its utility oversight and agency operations. For more information, visit www.tn.gov/tpuc.