Summit Utilities files lower winter gas cost rates

Summit Utilities Arkansas has filed 2024 winter cost of gas rates with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) with the lowest winter season cost of gas since 2021.

Summit owns Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corp., which has around 60,000 residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The proposed cost of gas that residential customers will pay is 78 cents per ccf for winter natural gas usage. Winter 2023 gas cost was 79 cents per ccf. The filed cost is a 36% decrease from the $1.22 per ccf cost in winter 2022, the news release said. In winter 2021, the cost was 91 cents per ccf.

“Our team is committed to securing the lowest natural gas prices for our customers,” said Fred Kirkwood, chief customer experience officer at Summit. “For customers who may need assistance with their bills, we encourage you to reach out to our customer service team to learn more about average monthly billing options and payment assistance programs designed to keep you and your family safe and warm.”

The APSC requires Summit to adjust its cost of gas on Nov. 1 and April 1 of each year. The cost of gas is a passthrough cost not associated with Summit’s rate case pending before the APSC.

Summit offers average monthly billing (AMB) plans, payment assistance, and energy efficiency programs to aid customers.

Summit Utilities Arkansas filed a rate increase request with the Arkansas Public Service Commission Thursday (Jan. 25). The request would increase the monthly bill for the “typical” residential customer by almost 30%. The request also seeks to raise Summit’s authorized revenue Arkansas from $169.474 million to $279.949 million, an increase of 60.53%. That request is still under review by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.