2008 Woodie Awards
Oxford locals to see lower gas prices
Christopher Washington
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Community
Oxford residents and Miami University students, who may have been overcharged for gas in the past, can now maintain a warmer house at a cheaper rate this winter due to lower charges issued from the Oxford Natural Gas Company.
According to a press release sent to Oxford Mayor Jerome Conley Oct. 15 from the office of Service Director Michael Dreisbach, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) released an order requiring that the Oxford Natural Gas Company reduce its service rates issued to the Oxford community.
Documentation filed Oct. 10 from PUCO states the new prices reflect the rates suggested from the city as well as an overcharge of $409,000 the Oxford Natural Gas Company
issued its customers.
The reduction, ordered Sept. 19, stems from a rate renewal the Oxford Natural Gas Company requested in 2006, regarding an increase in gas pricing, according to Oxford City Councilor Alan Kyger. However, Kyger said the city researched the issue, but rather than approving the request to increase pricing, the city suggested the rate of gas should be deceased.
"The city of Oxford was obviously concerned about the ratepayers of the Oxford community getting the best possible rates," Kyger said.
Rather than maintaining the general service rate of $3.05 per Mcf, which refers to 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the city stated the rate should be reduced to $2.39, a 22 percent decrease. In addition, the city of Oxford also suggested the $8 monthly service charge be reduced to $6.50, a 19 percent decrease.
According to Shana Eiselstein, spokeswoman for PUCO, the organization began investigation upon involvement in the stipulation between the Oxford Natural Gas Company and the Oxford administration.
"The commission reads and evaluates the stipulation and puts it through a three-part test," Eiselstein said. "The commission wants to know if the settlement has resulted in serious bargaining from the parties involved, that the entitlement does provide benefits and to make sure the settlement does not violate any principles or practices."
According to a press release sent to Oxford Mayor Jerome Conley Oct. 15 from the office of Service Director Michael Dreisbach, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) released an order requiring that the Oxford Natural Gas Company reduce its service rates issued to the Oxford community.
Documentation filed Oct. 10 from PUCO states the new prices reflect the rates suggested from the city as well as an overcharge of $409,000 the Oxford Natural Gas Company
issued its customers.
The reduction, ordered Sept. 19, stems from a rate renewal the Oxford Natural Gas Company requested in 2006, regarding an increase in gas pricing, according to Oxford City Councilor Alan Kyger. However, Kyger said the city researched the issue, but rather than approving the request to increase pricing, the city suggested the rate of gas should be deceased.
"The city of Oxford was obviously concerned about the ratepayers of the Oxford community getting the best possible rates," Kyger said.
Rather than maintaining the general service rate of $3.05 per Mcf, which refers to 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the city stated the rate should be reduced to $2.39, a 22 percent decrease. In addition, the city of Oxford also suggested the $8 monthly service charge be reduced to $6.50, a 19 percent decrease.
According to Shana Eiselstein, spokeswoman for PUCO, the organization began investigation upon involvement in the stipulation between the Oxford Natural Gas Company and the Oxford administration.
"The commission reads and evaluates the stipulation and puts it through a three-part test," Eiselstein said. "The commission wants to know if the settlement has resulted in serious bargaining from the parties involved, that the entitlement does provide benefits and to make sure the settlement does not violate any principles or practices."
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