NJ Natural Gas Proposes Rate Cuts

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Natural Gas customers may be seeing lower rates this winter.

The utility announced Monday that it wants to decrease rates for residential and commercial customers. The announcement was made in its annual filing with the state's Public Utilities Board.

The company says typical residential heating customers would see their monthly bills drop 4.3 percent, from $109.80 to $105.08. Residential non-heating customers and small and large commercial customers would see decreases ranging from 2.1 to 3.8 percent.

Officials credit the drops to an unusually frigid winter that triggered reductions as part of a conservation incentive program that also adjusts for year-to-year weather fluctuations.

The change must still be approved by BPU. It would take effect in October 2014.

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