The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) staff plans to recommend a $6.8 million, or 3.1%, general rate decrease forCascade Natural Gas Co. The Kennewick, WA-based utility has a pending request for a $5.9 million, or 2.7%, rate increase. However, UTC staff is recommending the decrease, including $3.5 million due to recently enacted federal tax reforms. New rates are to take effect Aug. 1.

Xcel Energyhas filed quarterly natural gas and electricity commodity adjustments with Colorado regulators that would keep utility bills essentially flat year/year in 2Q2018. Compared with the year-ago period, gas bills would be 2% higher, but they would be lower compared to 1Q2018, which includes higher gas volumes related to winter weather. Residential customers would see typical bills of $30.80 in 2Q2018, versus $30.27 a year ago. Small business customers’ average monthly bills would be slightly above $127, compared with an average of $124.55 in 2Q2017.