Dominion East Ohio's Rate Increase Approved by PUCO

Dominion East Ohio received approval on October 16, 2008, from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for an annual revenue increase of $37.5 million, its first base rate increase in 14 years. Typical residential monthly bills would increase less than $3, or 2.5 percent, effective October 16, 2008.

The PUCO also approved a number of consumer benefits as part of the rate case, including automated meter reading, expanded energy conservation programs and the beginning of a program to replace older pipelines. In addition, the company would assume responsibility for repairs and installation of customer-owned service lines, which are the lines that run from the street curb to the customer's meter.

In its ruling, the PUCO decided to increase Dominion East Ohio monthly service charge from the current $5.70 to $12.50 and reduce the base rate to less than $0.628 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) from the current $1.2355 per mcf. In 2009, the monthly service charge would increase to $15.40 while the base rate would fall to $0.358/mcf.

There are several other key elements in the settlement. Read our news release for complete details.