2025 Rate Request
Hope Gas has filed a base rate request with the Public Service Commission of West Virginia to support investments in service reliability and pipeline infrastructure.
Hope Gas is committed to delivering safe, reliable natural gas service to approximately 140,000 homes and businesses across 39 West Virginia counties. For the first time in five years, Hope has filed a request with the PSC.
This base rate filing will ensure the continued safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to Mountain State homes and businesses now, and into the future.
Hope’s current base rates are based on costs from 2019. The inflation factor from 2019 to 2024, as reported by the Consumer Price Index, is 25.38%. Since Hope’s previous base rate filing, Hope has acquired five smaller West Virginia natural gas companies with the goal to enhance service reliability for the customers on those systems and strengthen the natural gas pipeline infrastructure across the state. Our work on and investments in these systems provide positive benefits to customers. Customers in some areas of the state became accustomed to service disruptions, especially during cold weather. This year, during some of the coldest weather in recent winters, Hope customers experienced increased reliability to ensure the warmth and safety of their families and property.
If the PSC approves this rate request, then for a typical residential customer using an average of 5.5 mcf per month, the monthly bill would increase by $21.10 to $33.74 depending on the company.
The PSC has 300 days to review this request. Hope’s filing indicates rates will go into effect in 30 days or by May 30, 2025; however, as a normal course of business, it is anticipated the commission will suspend the rates for 270 days to fully review Hope’s filing. Rates will not change until the PSC grants approval. It is anticipated approved rates would be effective in February 2026.
What This Filing Proposes
What Are Base Rates?
Base rates cover the costs of operating the business such as the supplies and equipment needed
to maintain our pipeline infrastructure, our labor costs and other general operating expenses.
The cost of natural gas is not part of the base rate.
Average Monthly Bill Proposed Rate Changes:
The bill impact will vary for customers of Hope’s recently acquired companies based, in part, on the length of time since the companies’ previous rate adjustments. These companies include: Consumers Gas, Peoples Gas, Southern Public, Bazzle Gas, and Standard Gas. Representing approximately 20% of Hope’s total customer base, the recently acquired companies have not had a rate increase in more than a decade, and in one case, 37 years.
Section A - Hope Gas, Inc. ("Hope") Customers
Section B - Former Peoples Gas WV LLC ("Peoples") Customers
Section C - Former Southern Public Service Company ("Southern") Customers
Section D - Former Standard/Bazzle Gas Company ("Standard") Customers
Section E - Former Consumers Gas Utility ("Consumers") Customers
Section F - Production Gathering and Aggregation Service ("PGAS")
Frequently Asked Questions
Hope Gas is committed to providing safe and reliable natural gas service. This rate request supports ongoing investments in infrastructure improvements, addresses inflation-related cost increases since our last filing in 2020, and ensures consistent service across newly acquired utility systems.
Base rates cover the costs of operating the business such as the supplies and equipment needed
to maintain our pipeline infrastructure, our labor costs and other general operating expenses.
The cost of natural gas is not part of the base rate.
If the PSC approves this rate request, then for a typical residential customer using an average of 5.5 mcf per month, the monthly bill would increase by $21.10 to $33.74 depending on the company.
Tables with more detailed information are available under the Average Monthly Bill Proposed Rate Changes section of this page.
Rates are changing now because Hope Gas's current base rates are based on costs from 2019. Since then, inflation and rising operational costs have increased significantly. This filing allows Hope Gas to continue providing safe, reliable service while adjusting rates to reflect the actual cost of operations today.
Some of these recently acquired companies have not adjusted rates in more than a decade and in one case, 37 years. This adjustment ensures rates align with current costs and allows Hope Gas to continue providing safe, and reliable service. However, the purchase prices of acquiring those companies are not included in this rate request.
At Hope, we understand that any increase can put a strain on household budgets. As part of this filing, Hope Gas has proposed a low-income discount pilot program to provide bill payment assistance offering a 25% discount to eligible families. You can explore existing assistance programs offered by state, local and private organizations.
The PSC has 300 days to review this request. Hope’s filing indicates rates will go into effect in 30 days or by May 30, 2025; however, as a normal course of business, it is anticipated the commission will suspend the rates for 270 days to fully review Hope’s filing. Rates will not change until the PSC grants approval. It is anticipated approved rates would be effective in February 2026.