Arkansas Lawmaker Warns Gas Utility Rate Increase Will ‘Hurt the Little Guy’
As the winter months approach, Summit Utilities customers in Arkansas are bracing for a significant natural gas bill hike. The news has sent shockwaves throughout the community, particularly among those who are already feeling the pinch of rising costs.
The rate increase was recently approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC). According to the agreement, the average residential bill will increase by .43 a month, translating to a 23.42% monthly increase. This means that December bills, already expected to be higher due to colder weather, will jump from previous years’ averages.
- The December 2024 bill is projected to be 4.46.
- The January 2025 bill is expected to reach 4.06.
- The February 2025 bill is anticipated to be 4.14.
- The March 2025 bill is forecasted to be 7.32.
Arkansas lawmaker Larry Teague has voiced strong concerns about the impact of this rate increase on low-income families. “This new rate will hurt the little guy,” Teague emphasized in a recent statement. “Many families in our state struggle to make ends meet, and an increase like this will only intensify their difficulties.”
Impact of Natural Gas Rate Increase on Arkansas Residents
hArkansas residents are facing a significant boost in their natural gas bills as winter approaches. The new rates, which were recently approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC), will result in higher costs for households.
d average residential bill is expected to rise by .43 a month, translating to a 23.42% monthly increase. This change is part of a broader agreement that included adjusting former proposals submitted by Summit Utilities.
>Key Figures:
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>• December 2024: 4.46
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>• January 2025: 4.06
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>• February 2025: 4.14
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>• March 2025: 7.32
he new rates reflect a shift in costs associated with gas usage, with winter 2024 rates set at 78 cents per cubic foot (ccf), a decrease from previous years. However, this drop in gas prices mitigates some of the higher bills set by the approved rate increase.
Resident reaction is mixed, with some seeing relief from lower gas costs and others concerned about the overall increase in their energy bills as winter sets in
Overall, while lower winter gas prices offer some reprieve, many Arkansas residents are anxious about how this change will affect their already-stretched budgets during one of the coldest months of the year.
