THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 1997 TAG: 9701180011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 29 lines
Tighten your belts, Norfolk residents, the utilities are on the rise again. I just received my Virginia Natural Gas bill. Out of sight! We had a very mild December. I used less gas than before, and my bill is much higher. This was pointed out to me in just this fashion by a representative of Virginia Natural Gas Co.
Heck, I could see that right off. It was when I asked for an explanation that I began to get a little double-talk. I was told that the reason for the increase is that Virginia Natural Gas has received a 30 percent rate increase. When I asked, I was told that that wasn't really the main reason for my bill being so large - well, not the only reason. It seems that the cost of the natural gas increased and along with the rate increase that hadn't actually been approved yet, Virginia Natural Gas was letting all this filter down to the consumer.
Anyway, to save some trouble to other Norfolk residents who dislike being gouged as much as I do, don't bother calling the gas company. Go directly to the State Corporation Commission, 1-800-552-7945 and push button (NU)2. A record is being kept of all calls opposing this rate increase, and enough calls might just possibly defeat it.
VIVIENNE FORBES
Norfolk, Jan. 6, 1997