Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Case No. INT-G-12-01, Order No. 32632

September 5, 2012

Contact: Gene Fadness (208) 334-0339, 890-2712

Website: www.puc.idaho.gov

Intermountain proposes monthly reductions; December credit

State regulators are taking comments through Sept. 20 on adjustments to Intermountain Gas Company rates that, combined, would result in an average price decrease of 7.1 percent.

The yearly Purchased Gas Cost Adjustment (PGA) surcharges or credits customers based on that portion of rates that is variable, such as changes in commodity priced for natural gas or in transportation expense. Sometimes the PGA is adjusted more than once a year if gas prices continue to drop. This is the second PGA filing this year, with customers getting an average 4.5 percent reduction last February.

In its application before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, Intermountain proposes to reduce the rates of residential customers who use natural gas for both water and space heating by 3.1 percent or about $1.51 per month effective Oct. 1. For residential customers who use natural gas for space heating only, the proposed decrease is 0.4 percent or about 17 cents a month. For commercial customers, the proposed decrease is also 3.1 percent, or about $6.46 per month. These adjustments would decrease the company’s annual revenue by $6 million.

Further, Intermountain proposes to grant a one-time credit of $3.7 million to customers in December as a result of credits that accrued before the adjustment last February. For residential customers who use natural gas for both space and water heating the one-time credit would be about $29.85. Residential customers who use natural gas for space heating only would get a credit of about $19.40. Commercial customers would get a credit of about $129.80.

Comments are accepted through Sept. 20 via e-mail by accessing the commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov and clicking on "Comments & Questions About a Case." Fill in the case number (INT-G-12-01) and enter your comments. Comments can also be mailed to P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074 or faxed to (208) 334-3762.

A full text of the commission’s order, along with other documents related to this case, is available on the commission’s website. Click on “File Room” and then on “Gas Cases” and scroll down to the above case number.