EKB News

The West Virginia Public Service Commission has deferred a decision related to a proposed sale of Hope Gas Inc. However, the PSC decided to grant a 5% rate increase amounting to about $8.78 million in additional revenue for the company's base rate, less than the 18.9% increase sought. The company, which operates as Dominion Hope, had not received a rate increase since 2005, leaving officials saying they need money to cover non-gas operations and expenses, taxes, interest on customer deposits, dividend payments and interest on debt.