Austin natural gas providers request rate hikes
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Austin residents may have another utility rate hike to fret about.
Both natural gas providers for Austin, Texas Gas Service and Atmos Energy, asked the Austin City Council for rate hikes Wednesday.
Texas Gas Service approached the council in February, asking for an interim rate hike for its customers. TGS said the hike would cover the cost of recent capital improvements it has made to the system. The interim hike would prevent the need for the utility to file a full rate case with the council.
The proposal increased the residential customer charge about 10 percent, from $10.21 to $11.33. The charge is a flat-fee all TGS customers pay to cover the cost of service. The increase would take effect at midnight.
Atmos Energy is also asking for more money from its customers. The gas provider says it needs to increase its fixed rates nearly 12 percent.
If approved, Austin’s 6,300 Atmos customers would begin paying the higher rates June 13 at the earliest.
Both public hearings are slated to begin at 4 p.m. Thursday at council’s regularly scheduled hearing.