Member Meetings Scheduled for Proposed Natural Gas Rate Changes
Midwest Energy is holding member meetings to discuss proposed changes to natural gas rates in three locations next month. Meetings will be held at:
Colby - Wed., April 1 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. @ the Meeting Room in the Robert Burnett Student Union, Colby Community College, 1255 S. Range, Colby.
Scott City - Tue., April 7 from 6:00-7:00 pm @ the Community Room, Scott City Library, 110 W. 8th St., Scott City.
Hays - Thurs., April 9 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. @ the Pioneer Room, 2nd Floor, Fort Hays State University Memorial Union, 700 College Dr., Hays.
If adopted as proposed, the base rate change would provide an additional $1.7 million each year for pipeline safety and reliability improvements and operating expenses. Preliminary rates indicate an average residential customer would have an increase of $1.87 per month based on actual 2018 gas use. Rate design changes include increasing the fixed customer charge by $1 to $19, and “zeroing out” the current Gas Infrastructure Rider and Ad Valorem (property tax) Rider. The new rates would include an increase in volumetric charges, of 2.5¢ per therm.
The proposed new rates, the first general rate increase since 2016, will provide capital for safety and reliability improvements, cover increases in operating and administrative expenses, and more accurately capture the cost of providing natural gas service. Midwest Energy’s residential and commercial rates would remain the lowest in Kansas. If approved, rates would go into effect with the first billing cycle based on meter readings dated after July 1, 2020.
Proposed bill examples and other rate information can be found at: www.mwenergy.com/residential/gas_rate_changes_2020.
The Board of Directors will consider and vote on the approval of the rate changes at an open member meeting on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Midwest Energy Office, 1330 Canterbury Dr., Hays, Kansas. All members are invited to attend the open meeting.
Customers have the opportunity to send comments regarding the proposed rate changes to Midwest Energy no later than April 10, 2020. Comments should be addressed to Bob Muirhead, VP for Customer Service, at bmuirhead@mwenergy.com, or by calling 785-650-2502 with your comments.