Boston: State's largest group of gas utilities asks for 20% price hike By Associated Press, 9/16/2000 12:04

BOSTON (AP) The state's largest family of gas utilities is asking regulators for permission to raise gas bills about 20 percent, citing the rising cost of fuel.

The request was made to the state Department of Telecommunications and Energy in a filing Friday by Eastern Enterprises, the parent company of Boston Gas, Essex Gas and Colonial Gas.

The increase would affect about 750,000 customers for six months, starting Nov. 1, The Boston Globe reported.

The move comes about two weeks after the state's major electric utilities also citing higher gas and oil prices asked for a rate increase that would cost the typical homeowner between $3 and $10 per month.

If state regulators agree to the gas price hike, customers who use natural gas for heating, hot water and cooking will see an average increase of 20 percent in their total bill, the company said. Customers who use gas only for cooking and/or hot water heating will see a 10 to 12 percent increase.

''The general increase is tied to specifically to the cost of fuel,'' said Boston Gas spokesman Michael Connors. DTE officials had no comment on the filing.

Oil prices have reached their highest levels in 10 years as members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have limited production.

Gas cost increases in Massachusetts and New England could be offset slightly in January when a new natural gas pipeline opens between Nova Scotia and Dracut. Energy experts said it could decrease price volatility by giving local utilities another choice where to take gas.

http://www.boston.com/dailynews/260/region/Gas_utilities_asking_for_price:.shtml

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), September 16, 2000