
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 19, 1993                   TAG: 9306190082
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

HEARING SCHEDULED ON GAS-RATE INCREASE

The State Corporation Commission has set Oct. 20 for a hearing on Roanoke Gas Co.'s request for $1.3 million worth of higher rates.

Meanwhile, consumers will see the higher rate in their bills, effective Sept. 1, according to a statement released Friday by the regulatory agency.

State regulations allow a utility to put new rates in effect five months after a petition is filed. If the SCC later orders rates different from what the company requests, customers bills are adjusted.

Roanoke Gas President Frank Farmer said the money will be collected under bond. Any difference will be returned to customers if the SCC approves a lesser amount.

The company is seeking $1.3 million a year, an increase of 2.9 percent. It would raise the bill of the typical residential customer by $1.35 a month, Roanoke Gas said. - Staff report

by CNB