ONG seeks OK to raise base rates

Friday, January 28th 2005, 1:50 pm

By: News On 6

Oklahoma Natural Gas wants to raise its base rates for the first time in a decade. ONG asked the state Corporation Commission Friday for a 33 cent a day rate increase, which would mean 10 dollars more a month for the average customer.

The company asked for the rate hike, citing substantial investments and other costs in the operation of its natural gas distribution system. Don Sherry with ONG: "simply because we are filing this now does not mean that it's going to be reflected in next month's bill. It's a long and understandably detailed process and will play out over several months."

The Corporation Commission has 180 days to conduct a review and issue an order in response to ONG's request. That means any approved increase would not take effect until summer.