This story was published by 8 News Now.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Some residents took a stand Monday against Southwest Gas over the recent rise in gas bills by protesting in front of the utility’s building at Durango Drive and Windmill Lane.
That is where over 50 people gathered, most of them strangers to each other until that day. Protest Organizer and Summerlin Resident Deborah Gaeding said they all met on social media over a common concern, gas rates expected to rise.
“When you go from $66 to $198, man, something’s got to change,” Gaeding said while holding signs in both hands. “We’re not stupid people. We’ve done our homework.”
Central Valley Resident Sandra Bennett is concerned she soon will be unable to afford the basic utility. She said her average gas bill of $60 in the year prior rose to $278 this year.
“I only heat my water,” Bennett said while protesting. “I live on social security. Every dime, you know, I got to account for. Next month, they raise it again, I’m not going to be able to have gas then. I’m going to have to have it shut off.”
Summerlin Resident Sandy Margolis, too, was not expecting her winter bill to be $200 more than it was in the summer.
“This bill I received was just as high as my electric bill during air conditioning time in the summer,” Margolis said. “I can’t afford to live in my own home practically.”
Some customers said their bills have jumped by 50% or more and being able to pay the bills is creating a strain for customers. The company has also proposed another 10% hike in April, which the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada (PUCN) will hear next Monday. Protest organizers are calling for the utility to reduce profits and lower gas bills.
Southwest Gas has been under scrutiny as rates have increased. They’ve requested the 10% increase to cover capital improvement projects that “provide safe and reliable natural gas service in Nevada,” its website said.
The company’s request with PUCN also indicated employee wages and benefits could also be included. Last year’s proxy statement indicates most Southwest Gas executives made at least $1 million in 2022.
The utility defends the higher amounts saying it’s due to the increased cost of natural gas when it was purchased a year ago. They say the cost has increased 75% over two years.
If approved, the new increase would translate to an estimated $8.47 more for the average customer in Southern Nevada.
Customers, like Summerlin Resident Phyllis Graff, say despite cutting back on cooking, laundry and other gas usage, the increasing monthly bill amounts never allow them to catch up.
“I wish I could turn it totally off and get rid of it,” Graff said while discussing the necessity of a gas utility. “It’s not fair, not only to everybody, but the seniors are hard hit.”
The next Public Utilities Commission hearing over the rate increase is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26.
Southwest Gas has a page on its website to explain the higher bills. You can find it at this link.
