Elizabethtown Gas Proposes Overall Bill Reduction Despite Infrastructure Rate Increase

Elizabethtown Gas customers could see a lower monthly bill beginning this fall, even though the utility is also pursuing approval for a rate increase connected to infrastructure.

Etown is looking to drop its Basic Gas Supply Service and Conservation Incentive Program rates starting October 1st, which could mean a rate reduction of about 8.8% for a residential heating customer using 100 therms per month. The rate reductions are the result of the company’s projection of lower natural gas costs.

In a separate filing, Elizabethtown is seeking approval to increase its Infrastructure Investment Program charge, which would mean a 0.8% increase in the bill of a residential heating customer using 100 therms per month. The utility is looking to recover about $5M associated with projects placed into service during the final six months of an investment program that authorized the company to spend up to $120 million replacing at least 75 miles of cast-iron and bare-steel gas mains and related equipment.

Together, the two proposals would lead to an estimated net reduction of $14.14 per month for a residential heating customer using 100 therms.

There’s third proceeding connected to Etown involving Universal Service Fund and Lifeline charges connected to utility-assistance programs that would represent a reduction of about 27 cents per month for a residential heating customer using 100 therms.

If all three proposals go through, a residential heating customer using 100 therms will be looking at a savings of about $14.41/month. Every little bit helps I guess.

The NJ BPU has scheduled public hearings on the three proceedings for August 26.None of the proposed rates has been approved and the BPU may approve, reject or modify the requests.

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