Enbridge Gas Ohio seeks increase, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio seeks smaller one
Enbridge Gas Ohio wants permission from the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to increase natural gas charges, but a state agency is pushing back on the amount requested.
In testimony submitted to PUCO, Maggie Sallah, director of regulatory and pricing for Enbridge Gas Ohio, formerly known as Dominion Energy Ohio, said the company’s current rates produce a revenue deficiency of $163.3 million.
“We want to keep Enbridge Gas Ohio’s natural gas system safe, reliable and ready for the future, while keeping costs fair and reasonable for customers,” an Enbridge Gas Ohio spokeswoman told Ohio.News via email. “The majority of the requested increase is related to increased debt costs, system infrastructure recovery and changes in certain tax-related balances.”
Enbridge said the change would result in a $7.60 per month increase to an average residential customer’s bill. PUCO, which has scheduled a series of public hearings on the proposed increase, and the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel said the increase would be roughly $9.50 per month, or about 10%.
After reviewing EOG’s application and records, PUCO recommended a revenue increase of between $112.6 million, or 11.8%, and $129. 4 million, or 13.6%. Under this increase, a residential customer would experience a monthly bill increase of about $5.90.
The spokeswoman said Enbridge customers “have some of the lowest rates in the state and also benefit from our robust system,” including “abundant natural gas on our system from the Utica Basin supply,” “numerous conventional natural gas production receipt points,” access to major interstate pipelines, and more than 60 Energy Choice program suppliers and supply offerings.
However, that hasn’t stopped the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel from stepping in to oppose the request.
“Enbridge wants Ohioans to pay more every month whether they use any gas or not,” Consumers’ Counsel Maureen Willis said in a statement, WJW-TV reported. “A fixed charge is a cost consumers cannot reduce by using less. Families are already stretched, and affordability must come first.”
In June 2025, PUCO ordered new lower base distribution rates for Enbridge Gas Ohio, decreasing annual revenues by roughly $26.3 million. The agency also established a rate of return of 6.6%.
