A year later, little movement on rate hikes

In an article written by Michael Neibauer in the Examiner highlights Pepco and Washington Gas's rate increases submitted in late 2006.

Pepco is seeking a 7.79 percent increase for power distribution, which would raise the average electric bill by about $6 a month for the company’s 235,000 clients. Washington Gas is looking for a 7.7 percent boost, which would add roughly $8.47 per month to the average residential heating bill for its 151,000 natural gas customers.

A decision in the Washington Gas matter will have to wait until at least 2008. The commission this week postponed evidentiary hearings after the People’s Counsel claimed it had run out of money to argue against the increase.

Washington Gas had previously been fined $350,000 by the commission for failing to turn over documents tied to the case, which led to a four-month delay in the proceeding.

It looks like Washington Gas is its own worst enemy when it comes to lining the pockets of its investors.