Questar to increase rates by about $2.15 per month

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Public Service Commission has agreed to a request by natural gas utility Questar to increase rates by $25.81 annually for the typical customer.

The pass-through rate increase of about $2.15 more per customer per month reflects the changing cost of natural gas, the company said. For Questar, gas costs have increased about $48 million.

The price increase takes into account a decreased demand-side management rate and an overcollection of about $3.5 million of a conservation enabling tariff. The tariff enables the company to promote conservation while still collecting revenues, said Questar spokesman Darren Shepherd.

In requesting the increase, Ron Jibson, president and chief executive officer of Questar Gas, pointed out that natural gas rates in Utah are still low compared to the rest of the U.S.

The rate increase is about 3.9 percent, and the change will be effective Aug. 1.

— Rebecca Palmer