Mountaineer Gas Gets Approved Base Rate Increase
The West Virginia Public Service Commission approved a settlement raising Mountaineer Gas's base rates, effective Dec. 1.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Utilities
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The West Virginia Public Service Commission approved a settlement in Mountaineer Gas's rate case that raises base rates. The higher base rates are expected to bring the utility about $17.3 million more per year.
Why it matters
The settlement reshapes how West Virginia gas customers are billed, shifting costs between charges. Mountaineer Gas serves approximately 220,000 customers across the state.
The approved base rates are expected to generate about $17.3 million more per year for Mountaineer Gas. The company originally estimated its proposal would raise the average residential bill by $9.63 per month, but the final bill impact under the settlement is not specified.
The players
West Virginia Public Service Commission
The state regulatory body that oversees utility rates and approved the settlement in Mountaineer Gas's rate case.
Mountaineer Gas
A natural gas utility providing service to approximately 220,000 customers across West Virginia.
The details
Under the settlement, the fixed monthly residential charge stays the same, while the rate for residential gas usage increases and a separate infrastructure-improvement charge goes down. Mountaineer Gas must also credit approximately $114,000 to active customer accounts affected by a billing error, with credits issued within two weeks of the order and applied to customers' next bills.
Timeline
Dec. 1, 2026: New Mountaineer Gas rates take effect.
Feb. 1, 2028: Earliest date Mountaineer Gas may file its next base rate case.
Dec. 1, 2028: Earliest possible effect of any future base rate changes.
Roadmap
The settlement follows the Public Service Commission's standard base rate case process, which governs how utilities like Mountaineer Gas request and receive rate changes. It also sets a timeline restricting the company's next base rate filing to no earlier than Feb. 1, 2028.
Residential customers will see a higher usage rate on their gas bills, while the fixed monthly charge stays the same. Customers affected by the billing error should watch for the approximately $114,000 in credits on their next bills.
The takeaway
Residential gas customers should review their next bills after Dec. 1 to see how the higher usage rate and lower infrastructure charge combine. Customers affected by the billing error should confirm the credit appears on their account.
What happens next
Mountaineer Gas may file its next base rate case no earlier than Feb. 1, 2028, and any resulting rate changes could take effect no earlier than Dec. 1, 2028.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in West Virginia Utilities for context on regional energy pricing.
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