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56 °F Forecast | Road Cams Monday, May 10, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 22, 2004 Since you asked OPUC regulates natural gas price My understanding is that retail natural gas prices are unregulated. When the price charged by my gas distributor (Avista) goes up, so too will my heating bill. There have been sharp increases in recent years, but when rates come down I hear nothing about the rates falling to reflect Avista’s lower costs. — Lyndon C., Medford Oregon’s Public Utilities Commission requires Avista to issue press releases whenever it files for increases or decreases in natural gas rates, says Avista spokeswoman Debbie Simock. Both the base rates — where Avista makes its money — and the charge for the natural gas have to be approved by the PUC. Natural gas prices continually fluctuate on commodities markets. Oregon law requires utilities to file rate requests each August for implementation on Oct. 1 to reflect changes in the prices the company pays for its supply. In 2002, the company filed for a 23 percent reduction. Last August, the company requested an 18 percent rate increase. The PUC granted a 12.4 percent increase and asked Avista to file again after the heating season. Advertisement Avista was also granted a base rate increase of nearly 10 percent, or an annual revenue increase of $6.3 million. On Feb. 27, Avista issued a press release concerning its latest rate change request. The average 55-therm-per-month customer will pay an additional $3.84 per month if the PUC approves. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times