Washington Gas inks new contract with union

Washington Gas officials have reached an agreement on a new five-year contract with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 96.

The union approved the contract May 11, with more than 80 percent of the vote, according to D.C.-based Washington Gas, a utility that delivers natural gas to more than 1 million customers in the Washington area. More than 600 of Washington Gas' 1,606 employees are Local 96 members.

The new contract will be effective upon its ratification through May 31, 2012. The old contract would have expired May 31 of this year, according to Washington Gas.

Looks like Washington Gas is getting rid of their pensions. I wonder who's going to loose their Pension next.

Washington Gas seeks rate increase in Maryland

From the Washington Business Journal, it looks like Washington Gas wants increases in all three local areas it does business. Why is Washington Gas asking to make more money when they're slashing costs and outsourcing wide swathes of the organization?

Washington Gas has filed an application with Maryland regulators to increase its rates.

The proposal, which must be approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission, would increase Washington Gas' overall revenue generated in Maryland annually by $33.8 million, a 4.4 percent jump. Typical residential customers would see an increase of about 5.62 percent on their gas bill, which comes out to an average of $5.70 per month.

"The existing rates no longer reflect our costs of providing utility service in Maryland," says Washington Gas Chairman and CEO James DeGraffenreidt in a statement.

Yeah, right! here's my take:

"The existing rates no longer make our investors or board of directors wealthy enough, so we're asking our customers to pay more for less services," said Washington Gas Chairman and CEO James DeGraffenreidt in a statement

Bill on gas sites would not affect Chillum

From the Maryland Business Gazette:

A bill to give state and local governments the authority to veto the sites of liquefied natural gas facilities has been introduced by Maryland U.S. Sens. Benjamin L. Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski, but it would not affect plans for a natural gas storage site in Chillum.

Darn.