Intermountain Gas Wants to Raise Rates

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho's biggest natural gas supplier is asking state regulators to sign off on a rate increase for customers starting this fall. Intermountain Gas Co. filed a request for a 4.15 percent rate hike with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission Friday.

The increase would generate an estimated $10.3 million for the gas supplier. Company Executive Vice President Scott Madison says more demand is being placed on natural gas reserves nationwide, prompting an increase in prices.

If approved by the PUC, customers using natural gas for space and water heating would see their monthly bills increase by $1.85. Commercial customers on average would see an increase of about $14 per month — or 7.2 percent. Intermountain Gas serves about 320,000 residential and commercial customers across southern Idaho.