The strong oppositions were voiced against Enbridge Gas Ohio, formerly Dominion Energy, and their plans to increase natural gas rates.
LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Many community members voiced strong concerns Monday night about a major proposed rate increase to their natural gas bills.
The strong oppositions were voiced against Enbridge Gas Ohio, formerly Dominion Energy, and their plans to increase natural gas rates. According to the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, "Enbridge Gas Ohio is asking the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for a 30% hike in what it charges consumers for natural gas distribution service." Inside Lima Senior, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio held a formal public hearing where several community members shared their concerns.
Inside Lima Senior, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio held a formal public hearing where several community members shared their concerns.
"As a retiree and on fixed income, this increase will significantly impact my ability to afford basic necessities," says Paul Basinger, American Township Trustee, who voiced opposition.
"30% is what I heard when I came in here, but I'm hearing 20.6 now—that's ridiculous. That's ridiculous," says Todd Gordon, Lima's 1st Ward Councilman, who voiced opposition.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will be holding an evidentiary hearing on November 13th, 2024.
"Right now, everything is going up. This is something that could be the last straw. We don't know which one of our residents really can't actually afford it," says Carla Thompson, Lima's 3rd Ward Councilwoman, who voiced opposition.
"When you have a spurt of rate increase over time, we put more lives at harm. That's choosing between groceries, insurance, medications, but also the quality of life," says Jamie Dixon, Lima's City Council President, who voiced opposition.
On Monday evening, we did speak with a representative from Enbridge who explained why increased rates are necessary but also shared a different rate increase number than what the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel stated.
"We came up with about 16% increase on the total bill. We've had $4 billion of investments in our system, and we've not yet recovered $1 billion... so that's one piece of it. The second piece is it's been 16 years since we've asked for a rate review, and so we're asking for that basic service charge to be updated into current dollars," says Stephanie Moore, Communications Consultant, Enbridge Gas Ohio.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio will be holding an evidentiary hearing on November 13th, 2024.
