On April 28, 2017, Liberty Utilities (EnergyNorth Natural Gas) Corp. submitted a rate filing with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") to increase distribution rates, which recover the cost of the distribution system used to deliver gas to customers. Liberty proposes a two-step increase to annual distribution revenue and rates. The first, a $7.8 million increase in revenue, is proposed to take effect July 1, 2017. The second, an annual revenue increase of $12.0 million, is proposed to take effect following a final decision by the PUC, but no earlier than January 1, 2018.

For the proposed July 1, 2017, rate increase, the monthly total bill impact for a residential heating customer using 63 therms per month is approximately $5.08 (6.92%) as compared to the rates in effect today. The monthly total bill impact for both rate increases for a residential heating customer using 63 therms per month is approximately $14.15 (19.29%) as compared to the rates in effect today. Bill impacts for commercial and industrial customers will vary. For information regarding the specific rates proposed for each class of service, go to www.libertyutilities.com.  Additional information is available on the PUC's website in the virtual file for the rate case, which the PUC docketed as DE 17-048, http://www.puc.nh.gov/Regulatory/Docketbk/2017/17-048.html.

Why we need to raise rates.
In order to provide safe, reliable natural gas service to our customers, we need to make continual investments in things like equipment, maintenance and upgrades. From time to time we need to raise distribution rates to cover the cost of those investments.

Since our last rate case filing in 2014, we have invested close to $100 million in our gas distribution system. These investments include replacement of gas mains to allow growth, corrosion prevention measures, new vehicles, tools and equipment, and improvements to our facilities.

What part of my gas bill will be affected?
Liberty Utilities is seeking permission to increase the distribution charge, which is the cost of delivering natural gas to you.

What is the process and when will the Commission make a decision?
We provided testimony and background information to the Commission that outlines exactly what we are requesting and the reasons for the request. The Commission will review the request and schedule hearings. Once the Commission completes its investigation, they will deliberate and issue a decision. The process can take up to a year to complete. 

How will the rate change affect my bill?
If the request for increase is approved by the Commission as submitted, the increase will translate to the following changes to natural gas bills:


Customers are charged under one of the rate schedules shown below. If you are unsure of the rate under which you receive service, you can find your rate code on your gas bill in the main horizontal information bar. The last two digits of number displayed under “Rate Code” represent the rate under which you are billed.

PROPOSED RATES IN EFFECT JULY 1st - If our proposed first step (temporary) increase is approved as requested, total customer bills will be affected as follows:

R1 – Residential Non-Heating : A residential customer using an average of 227 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $26.37/year.
R3 – Residential Heating: A residential customer using an average 760 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $60.22/year.
R4 – Low Income Residential Heating: A residential customer qualifying as low income using an average 718 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $23.50/year.
R5 – Residential Non-Heating (Managed Expansion Program) : A residential customer using an average of 227 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $34.28/year.
R6 – Residential Heating (Managed Expansion Program): A residential customer using an average of 760 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $78.28/year.
R7 – Residential Heating – Low Income (Managed Expansion Program) : A residential customer qualifying as low income and using an average of 718 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $30.54/year.
G-41 – C&I, Low annual and high winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 2075 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $141.19/year.
G-42 C&I, Medium annual and high winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 14,362 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $707.40/year.
G-43 C&I, High annual and high winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 87,288 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $2863.46/year.

G-51 C&I, Low annual and low winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 2455 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $122.25/year.

G-52 C&I, Medium annual and low winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 14,690 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $484.75/year.

G-53 C&I, High annual with load factor <90%: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 87,465 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $2129.29/year.

G-54 C&I, High annual with load factor >90%: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 226,955 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $2091.30/year.

 

PROPOSED FINAL RATES - If our proposed final (Permanent) rate increase (including the first step increase) is approved as requested, total customer bills will be affected as follows:

R1 – Residential Non-Heating : A residential customer using an average of 227 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $84.48/year.
R3 – Residential Heating: A residential customer using an average 760 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $165.17/year.
R4 – Low Income Residential Heating: A residential customer qualifying as low income using an average 718 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $63.65/year.
R5 – Residential Non-Heating (Managed Expansion Program) : A residential customer using an average of 227 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $109.82/year.
R6 – Residential Heating (Managed Expansion Program): A residential customer using an average of 760 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $214.66/year.
R7 – Residential Heating – Low Income (Managed Expansion Program) : A residential customer qualifying as low income and using an average of 718 therms/year  will see an approximate increase of $82.74/year.
G-41 – C&I, Low annual and high winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 2075 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $274.35/year.
G-42 C&I, Medium annual and high winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 14,362 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $1203.89/year.
G-43 C&I, High annual and high winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 87,288 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $5136.87/year.

G-51 C&I, Low annual and low winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 2455 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $279.03/year.

G-52 C&I, Medium annual and low winter use: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 14,690 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $1115.30/year.

G-53 C&I, High annual with load factor <90%: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 87,465 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $3082.92/year.

G-54 C&I, High annual with load factor >90%: A commercial or Industrial customer using an average 226,955 therms/year will see an approximate increase of $3066.88/year.

 

Is there anything I can do to offset the increase?

There are things you can do to minimize the impact of the increase. We offer a comprehensive Energy Efficiency program that can not only reduce your natural gas usage and save you money, but many of our programs offer incentives that can help to offset the cost of making energy efficient upgrades.

Visit www.libertyutilities.com for information about our programs as well as tips and advice on conserving energy.

If you have having difficulty paying your bill, there are programs that can help. For more information about Fuel Assistance, the Neighbor Helping Neighbor program and our discounted rate for income eligible customers, please visit https://new-hampshire.libertyutilities.com/manchester/residential/my-account/my-bill/natural-gas-financial-programs.html.

What is the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission?
The New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission regulates public utilities like Liberty Utilities. For more information on the Commission, please visit its web site at www.puc.state.nh.us  or call its Consumer Affairs Division at 1-800-852-3793.

Our commitment to you:
Our employees live and work in New Hampshire. We support local jobs and the communities in which we live and work. We consider it a privilege to serve you and will do our best meet your needs.