Natural gas cost in W. Virginia surges this week

Natural gas prices increased in West Virginia Monday. The state Public Service Commission approved winter rates and unlike previous years, the rates have significantly increased.

With natural gas prices up about four times as much as the price this time in 2020, the utilities are paying more to purchase gas and are permitted to seek refunding such costs from the Commission.

The requests were made in September and approved recently. The largest natural gas utility, Mountaineer Gas, is raising rates 34.3% which is a $1.45 increase over last winter’s rate. Mountaineer’s Mcf rate is now $5.67.

Natural gas is more expensive this year based on supply and demand, that also impacts West Virginia where natural gas is located.

Last winter natural gas utilities paid a lot less for gas and lower rates were approved for 96% of natural gas customers in the state.