Our view: Speak up tonight about possible gas rate hike

Your bill in Duluth for natural gas could soon jump about 5 percent. But not before you get a chance to weigh in on the increase — a chance that seems the least rate-payers should have been allowed but that nearly was denied.

The Duluth Public Utilities Commission late last month was poised to approve the increase when commission member and City Councilor Jim Stauber spoke up and insisted on a public hearing first. That hearing is at 5 p.m. today in City Council chambers, after which the commission may vote.

That vote may not be the foregone conclusion it once seemed. Stauber told the News Tribune for a story Monday that he’s concerned the gas rate increase would come on the heels of a water rate hike and that the double whammy may be more than households already struggling can absorb.

“Those who can least afford to heat their homes will be hit by this increase the hardest,” Stauber said, suggesting that instead of a rate hike Duluth looks to lessen its reliance on the gas utility to support general spending. Stauber vowed to ask the City Council to veto a natural gas rate increase should the commission approve it.

So this is far from a done deal. There’s still time for meaningful dialogue. Tonight’s the chance to make your voice heard that you almost didn’t get. So take full advantage.

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