Possible Natural Gas Rate Hike in W.Va.
Possible Natural Gas Rate Hike in W.Va. Save Email Print
Posted: 10:01 PM Oct 14, 2008
 Last Updated: 10:01 PM Oct 14, 2008
 Reporter: WSAZ News Staff
Email Address: news@wsaz.com
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- West Virginia customers could be paying more for natural gas in the next few weeks.

A judge is recommending the State Public Service Commission approve an interim rate hike.

It means Mountaineer Gas bills would go up 33 percent, or about $53. The judge's recommendations are lower than what the company wanted. If approved, the interim rates would go into effect Nov. 1.
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Posted by: Rebecca King on Nov 6, 2008 at 10:05 PM
This stinking state has nothing, no jobs, the personnel property taxes we pay are ridiculous. more gas now, i 'm thinking of moving also, when i lived in Cleveland my car insurance, cable and utilities were way cheaper, i moved back for family, but i also cant find work, i live in Weirton, there is noting but gambling cafes. we need to protest this. shame on the greedy.
Posted by: Earl on Oct 17, 2008 at 01:33 AM
Lets see if Pablo makes a stupid comment about cell phones in this article.
Posted by: Raven on Oct 16, 2008 at 07:13 PM
We need to March on the capitol and demand they stop.
Posted by: JC on Oct 16, 2008 at 06:39 PM
How do you file a complaint on the Public Utilities commission. These companies already have a monopoly and should not be allowed to raise their prices unless the economy is balanced enough to allow people to pay their bills. There is no way I can afford another hike. Someone with some answers, please advise.
Posted by: Raven on Oct 16, 2008 at 05:41 PM
REMEMBER ALL THIS NOVEMBER 4TH GET OUT AND VOTE.Vote Out BYRD he voted for the bail out of wall street where is he now when we the tax payer need him. Vote Out Rockefeller Again he Voted For the Rich Money grubbers on wall street that are stealing our 401k dollars. Vote Out Manchin hes allowing this to happen by them putting cash in his pocket.Im neither democrat or republican. Iam for who is going to do the best job and none of these are doing it anymore. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito is the only one in the state that has a set- She Voted NO on the bail out.Thank God someone is looking out for the working class of this great state.
Posted by: TO ANONYMOUS 11:55AM on Oct 16, 2008 at 03:42 PM
"you can't make $20/hr on a high school education" OH YES YOU CAN !
Posted by: cin on Oct 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
i think i'll just sell my stock in the company to help pay the gas bill
Posted by: Juan on Oct 16, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I already get my gas naturally and for little money. It's called a high bean diet.
Posted by: FedUp on Oct 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Hmmm, this would be the 2nd rate increase within a years time. If I'm lucky I get one raise a year and 3% is the norm. My budget has already increased from $89 to $105 & now they "NEED" another hike????? This goes beyond greed, it's criminal!! I do earnestly hope and pray the the PSC does what it's suppose to do and deny this request.
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 16, 2008 at 04:52 AM
Man... seems like every year they raise the price. I hope those of you that live in WV let your voices be heard and be able to put a stop to this. I'm not exactly sure what you'd have to do to keep this from happening but I'd sure raise a stink. With everyone living in harder times this is just rape. You should try to find out who this judge is that's pushing this and send him looking for a job!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 16, 2008 at 03:53 AM
judges must make a lot of $$.
Posted by: first on Oct 15, 2008 at 06:43 PM
i work for a company that pay is low and they dont give cost of living raises my groc money get less and less because of all the rate increases i dont know what i'm going to do. there is only me how are families going to manage
Posted by: Joker on Oct 15, 2008 at 05:23 PM
I switched to heat pumps last year and got rid of anything in my house that ran off gas and I couldn't be happier. If you have the funds, buy high effiency heat pumps or gas furnaces. Also leave your heat set at 68. For every degree over 68 you go it tacks 6% on your gas bill. Seal leaky doors and you can buy clear silicone that removes easily in spring to fill gaps in windows. Also wear house shoes and actual warm PJ's to bed. Every little bit helps. Instead of cranking up the heat grab a blanket, robe, or toss on a sweater. I know it stinks but its the only way I used to manage.
Posted by: Jackson Co. on Oct 15, 2008 at 03:26 PM
I wonder what's in it for this judge to recommend a rate hike. What's it to her if Mountaineer Gas wants it or not. I'll give her my $600 every 2 wks along w/2 teenage daughters and see if she still wants to recommend this hike. This is so unfair!!
Posted by: JesseJames on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:25 PM
At least I used a mask and a gun to rob people
Posted by: JesseJames on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:23 PM
WOW !! Legalized robbery!!
Posted by: THE WORKING CLASS on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:10 PM
how does the gas co. expect us to fork over more money? we are already on a fixed income..and the state says we make too much to qualify for help! am I supposed to let my family freeze?because thats what is going to happen,I work just as hard as anyone else but can barely make ends meet..and this is with two incomes..and we do not live above our means,we just try to make it from payday to payday...when do we get a break? even inmates have more rights nowadays...where does it all end?
Posted by: anon on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Okay so here we go again. Mt. Gas has already had one increase this year and now as usual here it is nearly winter and they are going to get another one thanks to Melissa Marland, the Cheif ALJ at the PSC. But, of course she has no need to worry, she can afford the gas increase, if you look at her salary of $91,124.00. Now keep in mind that was from the year of 2007, she has no worries. Check it out if you do not believe me www.wvsao.gov go to the bottom of the page and you can look at anyone's salary who is a state employee. But remember she is a lucky state employee a good portion of state employees salaries qualifies them for public benefits. What is wrong with that picture? Thanks Brother Joe!!!
Posted by: bob on Oct 15, 2008 at 12:04 PM
Looks like the gas companies are moving in on the oil companies. Gasoline to 3.15, Hey this would be a good time to hike up natural gas 33%. I can not believe that something that heats our homes and keeps us alive can be raised 33 per cent. Probably see this judge and gas executive vacationing on an island somewhere...
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Just a Shadow, just a suggestion, how about getting some training!The local hospitals are begging for nursing staff and Bayer is hiring operators in the Kanawha Valley. Now we see another 150 jobs coming to South Charleston. There's a lot of work but you can't make $20/hr on a high school education!!!
Posted by: DJC on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:45 AM
Greed is going to be the ruin of America. They're talking about us being in a recession, I wonder why? The Big Oil companies are ripping us off, the Bankers are ripping us off, our 401k's are going down the drain and the idiots keep raising prices on everything when Americans are afraid to spend money on what they "need" not "want". My wife and I both work and the biggest part of our check is for prescriptions. Funny when summer comes around gas prices go up then when winter comes around natural gas goes up. They know the consumer needs it so they have this "let's stick it to them" mentality! If Americans would stick together and refuse to spend money taking vacations, buying things we don't need this Government would see that we Americans are the voice of this here United States! "We the People". Our politicians are suppose to be our voice, but sadly they're not. No matter what party, they make promises knowing they can't do anything without the House and Senates approval! Wake up!
Posted by: Just a Shadow in a crowd on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:43 AM
My husband and I are thinking about moving outside this state cause there's nothing here for us, only our families. We dont want to leave but we have no choice. We can't find work. I like Governor's commercial "While other states are suffering, WV is rising." I don't feel that we are rising. With everything from the cost of food, gas for cars, water and natural gas increase. Even though he lowed food tax from 0.06% to 0.03% it doesn't matter that much cause we still cant afford a $4 small box of off brand cereal. How sad???
Posted by: Anon on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:31 AM
I want to know where the 33% raise in my income is????????? And it's true, gas is traded at a lower price today, leaving you to ponder... WHAT THE H.....?????????
Posted by: Roger Robinette on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:22 AM
I don't understand what is going on with the news that the cost of natural gas is going to jump up again. It seems that every day you see plugs by the gas industry that claim that natural gas is a cheap and abundant source of energy for America. And even suggesting that more cars should be using it for fuel. Excuse me but something is definitely wrong here; If it is so abundant then according to the law of supply and demand, should not the cost be going down instead of up? Yet Mountaineer Gas is about to stick it to it's customers again with a 33% increase. My gas bill has already been increased as of this past July, so we are being hit again? This is uncalled for and unfair. It sounds to me like they are taking up where Wall Street and the oil companies have left off. I think a through investigation is in order.
Posted by: Joyce on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:54 AM
What in this world are poor people going to do? If there are any deaths because people couldnt afford to heat their homes then the gas company should be held responsible... It would be different if these gas companies werent making mega profit off of us. The government is supposed to regulate these cost.. imagine them not doing their job..
Posted by: Reader on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:49 AM
The Gazette named the Judge as Melissa Marland. Be sure to also read the Gazette and their comments on this article about Natural Gas Rate Hike!
Posted by: carl on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:40 AM
I think i will ask my boss for a 33% raise.
Posted by: Scott on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:30 AM
If this becomes too much to bear, I'm going to have my landlord switch our gas water heater to electric. This is ridiculous.
Posted by: kt on Oct 15, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Why would it be called a State Public Service Commission when it doesn't serve the public? Kinda ironic!!!! What are we suppose to do? I can't afford $53 more per month for gas. It's beyond ridiculous. Congress bail us regular people out tooo!!!!!
Posted by: OMG on Oct 15, 2008 at 07:52 AM
You've gotta be kiding!!! The gas bill here is already close to $400 a month in the winter. How's anyone gonna be able to afford an extra $53. This is totally crazy!
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 15, 2008 at 07:23 AM
With all of the gas wells being drilled in the surrounding areas, and the amount of natural gas being piped out of them, where is all of this gas going to? The land owners receive free gas from them along with royalty checks from the wells and then we pay premium price for the rest of it. Is most of this gas being shipped out of the country?
Posted by: Joe on Oct 15, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Atleast gasoline fluctuates. The gas company gets a judge in their pockets and jack it up 33 percent !!!! Thats like a judge allowing gasoline to go up a dollar a gallon. What judge would do that!!!! I am guessing the gas workers are union.
Posted by: RoaneCo. on Oct 15, 2008 at 06:53 AM
A judge is recommending the State Public Service Commission approve an interim rate hike. Does this judge have a name? Tell the people his name and put his picture on this story. Let everyone know who is taking advantage of them.
Posted by: Ann on Oct 15, 2008 at 06:43 AM
correct me if i am wrong...but didnt mountaineer gas get an increase in recent months possibly 2???
Posted by: david on Oct 15, 2008 at 06:08 AM
I UNDERSTAND THAT THING GO UP BUT I THINK THERE WAS A INCREASE ONCE THIS YEAR. AND WHAT A ABOUT THE IDEA THAT IF WE USE OUR OWN RESOURCE THAT IT WOULD BE CHEAPER. I DON,T THINK WE IMPORT NATURAL GAS FROM THE MIDDLE EAST.SO EVERY YEAR AT THE SAME TIME THE GAS COMPANY RAISES THE PRICE.JUST LIKE THE OIL COMPANY'S OUT OF TH MIDDLE EAST. SO COME ON JUDGE GIVE THE LITTLE MAN A BREAK AND STAND UP AND SAY I'M MAD AS HELL AND WE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE. OH WHO AM I KIDING YOUR A JUDGE THE 53$$ A SPLIT IN A BUCKET TO YOU WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT THE SINGLE MOM THPRYING TO RAISE KIDS OR AN OLD COUPLE TRYING TO GET BY ON SS CHECK.
Posted by: Madison on Oct 15, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Thank you to all involved in this ploy to rob the poor to feed the rich. If things like this keep happening I'm going to be forced to move my family to Amish Country! I wonder how many people will be found this winter that have frozen to death in their homes because of Mountaineer Gas? I'd like to see the PSC and this dummy for a judge live off minimum wage and survive! This is INSANE! I don't know how much more of this people can really take. But, yet, there is absolutely nothing anybody can do since Mountaineer has monopolized much of this area. It's depressing. ~God help us all~please!
Posted by: reader on Oct 15, 2008 at 01:44 AM
Agree with Anonymous on Oct14,2008 at 10:30 PM. It's bad enough for working people now who still have a job in this state trying to help their families! It's every dime they have to put food on the table and pay medical bills now! Natural Gas prices are sky high NOW! This is INSANE!
Posted by: Earl on Oct 15, 2008 at 01:38 AM
Maybe with this rate hike we can finally get some work done around here and get these people out of the donut shops.
Posted by: Robin Hood on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:56 PM
No no no It's supposed to be "Rob the rich and give to the poor"
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Natural gas trades on the open market for LESS than it did 9 months ago. So why the increase?
Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:20 PM
my income is'nt going up so how are people going to pay this wont need gas if you cant buy food
Posted by: Lad on Oct 14, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Great!! That is all that everyone needs, a gas hike going into winter, added on top of the increase in food, gas for the car, etc. How about the Judge vote to give a reasonable raise to people?!! It is ridiculous!!
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