I saw this information over at our sister site Church Hill People’s News.

Mayor Dwight C. Jones today announced a nearly 25 percent reduction in the purchased gas cost (PGC) rate charged by the City Department of Public Utilities (DPU). This decrease is due primarily to market conditions that have shown a decline in the price of the commodity over the last several months.

From the city press release:

“It’s important for the public to know that we undertake rigorous measures to keep gas utility costs as low as possible and, when the City is able to pass along utility savings to our customers, we readily do so,” the Mayor said. “The City passes along the cost of the natural gas it purchases and delivers to its customers, dollar for dollar, without any markup. It is our hope that this decrease will provide some immediate relief to customers in these challenging economic times”

Beginning with the bill customers receive in March 2009, the PGC will decrease from $1.185 to $.895 per Ccf (100 cubic feet of natural gas). As a result, the average residential customer who uses 70 Ccf per month will pay approximately $101.95 compared to a current bill of $122.25, a 17 percent reduction in the total gas bill.

DPU analysts periodically review and adjust rates up or down based on market and weather conditions.

DPU offers information and programs year-round to encourage customers to better manage their utility bills and seek assistance before bills become unmanageable. DPU also encourages customers to consider enrolling in the Equal Monthly Payment Plan in order to avoid large seasonal fluctuations in their monthly bill. More information about EMPP and other programs is available by calling 644-3000 or visiting DPU’s Website at http://www.richmondgov.com/dpu.

The City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities provides natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater services to more than 500,000 residential and commercial customers in the metropolitan region. DPU also operates electric street lighting utility, which maintains more than 37,000 streetlights throughout the City. For more information, call DPU’s Customer Care Center at 644-3000 or visit DPU’s Web site at www.richmondgov.com/dpu.