Southwest Gas wants to increase rates

Southwest Gas bills are likely to go for people in El Dorado County.

The utility says the average residential customer’s monthly bill for 73 therms would increase $7.21 to $73.41.

The Las Vegas-based company filed the increase request with the California Public Utility Commission on Dec. 20. The goal is to increase its 2014 authorized operating margin for natural gas service in El Dorado County by $2,716,647 or 13.6 percent.

Southwest also wants post-test year increases for 2015 through 2018, which would become effective Jan. 1 of each year.

According to the company, it wants to “recover the reasonable costs the company will incur to own and operate the facilities used to maintain and provide safe and reliable natural gas service to its California customers.”

Written comments on the proposed increase may be sent to: San Francisco Office (Headquarters), 505 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102. For more info, email public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov or call 866.836.7825.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report