Delmarva Power residential natural gas customers will see an increase in their monthly bill for the first time in six years.
The charge is expected to total, on average, $6.63 or about 5.8 percent starting November 1.
A residential customer’s average monthly gas bill will change from approximately $114.65 to $121.28.
Delmarva operates a natural gas system in northern Delaware.
This change in gas supply rates stems from Delmarva Power filing the annual Gas Cost Rate (GCR) adjustment on August, 31, with the Delaware Public Service Commission to reflect the changing cost of getting natural gas for its customers.
Since 2010, the utility’s customers have experienced a 28 percent ($48) decrease in total natural gas bills. This is the first GCR increase for Delmarva Power customers in five years.
Prices have dropped as new gas production came online from wells in Pennsylvania through the controversial method of hydraulic fracturing or fracking.
The lower prices have led to more residential and commercial customers, including the DuPont Experimental Station switching to the fuel.
The charge is a passed along to customers without a markup. Delaware earns a profit from operating the delivery system.