Webster County gas rates to go up

A winter season filing reviewed and accepted by the Missouri Public Service Commission shows that natural gas rates will rise 9 cents per 100 cubic feet, to 92 cents per 100 cubic feet. The company previously charged 83 cents per 100 cubic feet. The effect on a typical residential heating customer for the remaining winter season – January through March – will be approximately 5 percent more, a public service commission news release said.

This increase comes on the heels of an 8.8-cent increase – also approved by the commission – that went into effect Oct. 1.

According to the release, approximately 65 percent to 80 percent of a customer’s natural gas bill reflects the cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers. The commission does not regulate the wholesale cost of natural gas – the cost gas companies pay suppliers. The commission does conduct an annual regulatory review to ensure that regulated gas companies make prudent decisions in securing natural gas supplies for their customers.

Southern Missouri Gas Co. serves more than 7,000 customers in Wright, Texas, Webster, Howell and Douglas counties.