April 30, 2009
Docket Number: UG-090528

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Customers of Cascade Natural Gas Corporation will see a 6.3 percent reduction in their rates due to the fall in wholesale market prices, state regulators announced today.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) approved the utility’s request to reduce natural gas rates starting May 1 in response to excess supply, declining wholesale prices and a weak economy.

The average bill for a typical Cascade residential customer using 62 therms a month will drop by 6.3 percent, or $5.43 a month to $81.21.

Natural gas companies adjust rates periodically to reflect the changes in wholesale prices. Cascade indicated that if natural gas costs continue to drop, it could seek an additional rate reduction in November.

Seattle-based Cascade Natural Gas Co. serves about 192,000 residential and business customers in 65 communities throughout the state, including Bellingham, Bremerton, Mount Vernon, Aberdeen, Longview, Moses Lake, Kennewick, Walla Walla, Wenatchee and Yakima.

The three-member commission is the state agency in charge of regulating the private, investor-owned natural gas utilities in Washington. It is the commission’s responsibility to ensure regulated companies provide safe and reliable service to customers at reasonable rates, while allowing them the opportunity to earn a fair profit.