Dominion East Ohio to raise gas price

Wednesday, August 23, 2006 Natural gas rates are headed up for customers of Dominion East Ohio. The utility said today that its gas cost recovery rate will increase 8.8 percent to $9.90 per thousand cubic feet of gas, effective Sept. 6. Gas rates had been falling in recent months, so the new rate is down 12 percent from the rate in place last September. The rate is set monthly to cover the utility's cost of obtaining gas. State law requires the company to pass along its costs for obtaining gas without making a profit. In September, the average residential customer's bill will be $35.39, down $2.29, or 6 percent, from levels last September. The gas cost recovery charge accounts for most of a customer's bill. The other component is transportation charges. Some customers have opted for third-party suppliers to provide their gas and pay rates that are set by those suppliers.