State recommendation would raise Vectren bills

A new Public Utilities Commission of Ohio staff recommendation would, if approved, raise natural gas bills for Vectren customers.

A commonly used benchmark for the average customer is 100 Ccf, or cubic feet, of gas usage. The price of natural gas is always tied to markets and changes monthly.

Under the new PUCO staff recommendation, a 100 Ccf user would see their bill increase by $2.58 a month.

RELATEDVectren applies to raise natural gas rates

An evidentiary hearing on the proposed rate is scheduled in Columbus for December 4. This is where Vectren and other intervening parties will present evidence to support their case.

Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio applied to the state for an increase in rates in February . The company has a natural gas distribution business in a 17-county West Central Ohio service area, including Dayton.

Under the company’s original application, its average residential customer would pay about $7 a month more.

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In 2017, the average Vectren residential customer paid about $55 to $60 a month for Vectren natural gas service, although most of those costs are felt in the winter, the company said.

The PUCO will schedule Dayton-area public hearings to gather input from the public in the near future, a commission spokesman said.

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