Intermountain Gas Seeks Another Rate Reduction

Customers of Intermountain Gas may soon be in for yet another rate decrease. Citing the “prolific availability” of U.S. shale gas production, Intermountain has asked the Idaho Public Utilities Commission to reduce rates by an average 4.5 percent effective Feb. 1 through Sept. 30.

In addition to shale production, the company credits record storage of natural gas supply, cold weather and the lack of hurricane activity as contributing factors to its fifth consecutive request for a reduction in natural gas rates. The utility said in a news release that completion of the Ruby gas pipeline from southeast Wyoming to southcentral Oregon also displaced other other traditional natural gas supplies.

If approved by the IPUC, the portion of rates that covers natural gas supply and transportation would decline from 45.35 cents per therm to 41.8 cents. Intermountain Gas says that represents about half the total summer residential rate of 86 cents per therm and winter residential rate of 75 cents.