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West Branch Communications Group
This article was taken from a Newark Post 9/27/10 News Bulletin:
Rep. Kowalko seeks to derail Delmarva gas price increase
With the Delaware Public Service Commission preparing to rule on Delmarva
Power’s request increase natural gas rates by 6.3 percent, Rep. John A.
Kowako Jr., D-Newark, is asking residents to send letters to the commission
protesting and objecting to the utility’s proposal.
Kowalko has objected to Delmarva Power and Light’s proposed 6.3- percent natural gas increase and has urged the Public Service Commission (PSC) to consider postponing any approval decision at this time and revisit the matter in a year in fairness to the average consumer. Rep. Kowalko has questioned the fairness of this rate increase, as he believes it weighs more heavily on the poorer customers and those who have made a concerted effort to conserve natural gas usage.
On July 2, Delmarva Power filed with the PSC an application seeking the commission’s approval for an increase in natural gas annual operating revenues of $11.9 million, or 6.3 percent over total current revenues. In testimony before the commission’s hearing examiner, Kowalko stated the average family cannot afford this rate increase, especially during this recession and a slow job recovery.
Kowalko has objected to Delmarva Power and Light’s proposed 6.3- percent natural gas increase and has urged the Public Service Commission (PSC) to consider postponing any approval decision at this time and revisit the matter in a year in fairness to the average consumer. Rep. Kowalko has questioned the fairness of this rate increase, as he believes it weighs more heavily on the poorer customers and those who have made a concerted effort to conserve natural gas usage.
On July 2, Delmarva Power filed with the PSC an application seeking the commission’s approval for an increase in natural gas annual operating revenues of $11.9 million, or 6.3 percent over total current revenues. In testimony before the commission’s hearing examiner, Kowalko stated the average family cannot afford this rate increase, especially during this recession and a slow job recovery.
Kowalko said that Delmarva Power will use the monies from a rate increase
to stabilize employee pension plans, pay for “smart meter” installation
costs and implement a decoupling mechanism in the distribution portion of
their natural gas rates, all of which are the responsibility of parent Pepco
Holdings, not the captive audience of ratepayers.
Kowalko urges letters from the public objecting to the rate increase request
be written and sent to:
Ms. Ruth Ann Price, c/o Delaware Public Service Commission
861 Silver Lake Blvd.
Suite 100
Dover, De. 19904
Reference: Docket No. 10-237