Southwest Gas bills rising 21% on average

Southwest Gas customers will see higher bills next month after state regulators approved a rate increase for the Las Vegas-based natural-gas company.
The rate increase, combined with a fuel surcharge, means the average March bill will surge 21.3 percent to $64.35, according to figures provided by Southwest Gas Corp.

The increase comes in two parts.

This week, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved a general rate increase effective March 1 that adds $4.16 to the average bill. The second part is a monthly fuel surcharge, approved last month, that tacks on $7.86 to cover soaring natural-gas prices.

The general rate increase will raise $49.3 million a year to pay company expenses such as wages, maintenance, billing and pipeline safety.

Arizona Republic