It's good to know that state agencies like the State Corporation Commission have the best interests of the public in mind. Yes, I'm being sarcastic.
Regulators with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) did the people of the commonwealth a huge favor by only allowing half of the price increase sought by Virginia Natural Gas ($25.1 million). The agreement between VA Natural Gas and the SCC gives the former a $11.3 million rate increase. This increase translates into an extra $3.47 per month for the average residential consumer.
VA Natural Gas has over 275,000 customers in southeast VA, a section of VA that is not ripe with wealth to begin with.
Here's the issue my fellow Virginians. We are subsidizing what is essentially a middle-man for our natural gas needs on an inappropriate scale. Couldn't our state government do this? Isn't sustaining our way of life in VA something of a public good?
Why exactly are rates for natural gas distribution being increased, anyways? Last I checked there was plenty of natural gas to go around and to keep prices steady, if not declining.
Here's another issue: the SCC has clearly allied itself with the energy industry above and against the people of VA. If a government institution is not allied with the people that it is established to serve then that institution is no longer legitimate and should be dissolved or reformed.
The people of VA are tired of being dumped on by the powers that be inside the energy industry. Making a profit is one thing. Exploiting your customers is another. |
