Liberty Utilities seeks gas rate increases of up to 23% - WMUR Manchester

Liberty Utilities seeks gas rate increases

Liberty Utilities seeks gas rate increases of up to 23%

Changes could add hundreds of dollars to annual bills

Liberty Utilities is seeking to raise certain rates for residential gas customers by about 23%, which would mean an average increase of more than $200 per year for people who use the service.

The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission announced this week it will meet to decide whether Liberty's request to temporarily increase rates for residential customers is reasonable. Officials said the decision whether to permanently raise rates could take up to a year.

According to documents submitted to the PUC, Liberty Utilities is asking to temporarily increase rates by 10% for the average customer. That adds up to more than $100 more per year.

The permanent rate increase would add $200 more to customers who use Liberty for heat, adding up to a 23% overall increase per year.

If approved, the temporary rates would go into effect on Oct. 1.

The Department of Energy said it is still reviewing data before bringing its recommendation to the commission.

New Hampshire consumer advocate Donald Kreis said increasing costs affect customers differently, but he said a spike in charges would be too much for many.

"I can tell you that it is too lavish from the perspective of average residential customers like us," Kreis said.

A preliminary hearing with Liberty Utilities and the PUC is scheduled for Sept. 27. The commission will decide whether the proposed rates are reasonable. Kreis said a rate case this big could take a year to resolve.