20090904Comment.pdf

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Jean Jewell
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spwrathall~msn.com
Thursday, September 03, 2009 6:45 AM
Jean Jewell; Beverly Barker; Gene Fadness; Ed Howell
PUC Comment Form
A Comment from Shawn Wrathall follows:
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Case Number: INT -G-09-02
Name: Shawn Wrathall
Address: 3703 S. Rush Creek Place
City: Boise
State: Idaho
Zip: 83706
Daytime Telephone: [phone]Contact E-Mail: spwrathall~sn.com ~
Name of Utility Company: Intermountain Gas Add to Mailing List:~
Please describe your comment briefly:
Thank you for accepting public comments on Intermountain Gas i proposed rate reduction.
In light of current drops in natural gas prices as well as actions taken in neighboring
states, I would like to question if the proposed adjustment adequately reflects the drop in
gas prices.
1. Nationally, current stored supplies of natural gas are 18% above five year averages.
2. To date, the Atlantic hurricane season has been relatively benign. Barring any
significant changes, natural gas supplies from the Gulf of Mexico should be uninterrupted.
3. On the commodities exchange, the spot price of natural gas is now well below $3.00 per
1,000 cubic feet. The price of natural gas is about one-third of its price as recently as
this summer.
4. In Utah, the local gas utility, Questar, was granted a similar decrease to that which
Intermountain Gas is seeking. In addition, Questar issued rebates to its customers because
the cost of purchased natural gas supplies were below their expectations during their last
rate period. This rebate was granted to customers on their May 2009 bill. I would suspect
that Intermountain Gas is in a similar situation in the October 1, 2008 to September 1, 2009
period.
In summary, the economics of the natural gas market have changed significantly even in the
brief period since the submission of Intermountain Gas i rate proposal. In light of this, I
feel the Public Utilities Commission should thoroughly scrutinize Intermountain Gas i proposal
to ensure that customers are fully receiving the benefit of falling gas prices.
Very truly yours,
Shawn P. Wrathall
The form submitted on http://www . puc. idaho. gov /forms/ipuc1/ipuc. html
IP address is 174.19.169.87- - - --- - -- -- -- ---- ---- - -- - - - - -- - - ----
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