Friday, April 03, 2026
48.0°F

Hearings set for possible natural gas rate increase

CHERYL SCHWEIZER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 8 years, 1 month AGO
by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Senior Reporter Cheryl Schweizer is a journalist with more than 30 years of experience serving small communities in the Pacific Northwest. She began her post-high-school education at Treasure Valley Community College and enerned her journalism degree at Oregon State University. After working for multiple publications, she has settled down at the Columbia Basin Herald and has been a staple of the newsroom for more than a decade. Schweizer’s dedication to her communities and profession has earned her the nickname “The Baroness of Bylines.” She covers a variety of beats including health, business and various municipalities. | March 2, 2018 2:00 AM

KENNEWICK — Customers of Cascade Natural Gas are being invited to submit comments on a proposed rate increase. If approved, the rate increase would go into effect on or before Aug. 1.

The company’s proposal would raise rates 4.41 percent for residential customers.

The average residential customer using 54 therms per month would pay an additional $2.09 per month, according to information from the company. A commercial customer using 10,241 therms per month would pay an additional $50.75 per month.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission will sponsor three public hearings on the request, one in Kennewick. It’s scheduled for 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 4 at the Kennewick City Council Chambers, 210 W. Eighth Ave. in Kennewick.

The other hearings are in Bremerton on March 20 and Kelso on March 28.

People also can submit comments on the WUTC website, www.utc.wa.gov, and click on “submit a comment.” Comments can be submitted by email at [email protected] or by phone at 888-333-9882. Comments also can be submitted in writing at WUTC, Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250. People should include name and mailing address, and reference Cascade Natural Gas Corporation, Docket UG-170929.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at [email protected].

ARTICLES BY CHERYL SCHWEIZER

Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway
April 3, 2026 3 a.m.

Road closures, roundabout, mean construction season underway

EPHRATA — The grass is starting to turn green, the trees are starting to leaf out, construction crews are starting to build roundabouts – hey, it’s spring. At least one roundabout project is in its final phase, held over from fall 2025. The intersection of State Route 282 and Nat Washington Way will be closed the week of April 6 to allow crews to install permanent lights. “This really is the final (closure),” wrote Grant County Administrator Tom Gaines in a media release. “The roundabout will close at 6 a.m. Monday, and we plan to reopen by Friday, possibly sooner if the work finishes early.”

Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate
April 2, 2026 1:48 p.m.

Ybarra announces run for Washington Senate

QUINCY — State Representative Alex Ybarra, R-Quincy, has announced his candidacy for the Washington Senate. If he’s elected, he would replace Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, who announced her retirement in March.

Othello Community Museum to open April 25
April 1, 2026 3:45 a.m.

Othello Community Museum to open April 25

OTHELLO — With a couple of new exhibits, a new heating-cooling system, rearranged displays and a thorough cleaning, the Othello Community Museum will open for the summer April 25. The goal, said Molly Popchock, museum board secretary, is to operate for a full season.