Dominion’s proposed natural gas rate increase not well-received

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — If things go Dominion’s way, Ohioans will be paying more for natural gas service. That is — if the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio lets them.

Many people don’t want that to happen. Thursday afternoon in Warren city council chambers, an advocacy group held a meeting to inform and give a voice to customers.

“This is not right, what we have to go through. Every day, we’re fighting a battle to try and save a dollar,” said Paul Yannucci, of Warren.

Trumbull County residents Thursday evening expressed their displeasure with a proposed natural gas rate hike in Ohio.

“Dominion has asked for a 30% rate increase in the fixed charges that you pay every month on your bill,” said Maureen Willis, director of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel.

“What’re we supposed to do? We can’t afford it,” said Abigail Bickerstaff, of Niles.

The office of Ohio Consumers’ Counsel hosted the meeting. It says the hike would cost the average residential consumer in Ohio more than $100 a year, plus add-on charges costing upwards of $8.78 per month this year, to $29.69 by 2032.

“Us 20- and 30-somethings that are struggling, having two and three jobs, trying to keep a household running and together — we’re struggling and failing, and it’s going to collapse on everybody,” Bickerstaff said.

Dominion says its last rate increase was 2007. This proposed increase would cover the remaining $1 billion of more than $4 billion in infrastructure investments over the past 16 years.

“You have to take into consideration the senior citizens, what we’re doing. Our money goes down. We never go up,” said one Warren resident at the meeting.

“They are the entity that will ultimately make that decision on whether or not they’re going to raise 30%, and you can hear the sentiment in the crowd — everybody’s against the 30% increase,” said Greg Greathouse, member of Warren city council.

Dominion adds they work with customers to find affordable payment plans and assistance to best fit their circumstances.

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