RICHMOND — The State Corporation Commission (SCC) has scheduled a public hearing for October 19, 2009, to consider a request by Columbia Gas of Virginia to implement a conservation and ratemaking efficiency plan.

Columbia Gas states that the proposed plan includes new energy conservation and efficiency programs for residential and small business customers. As part of the filing, the company proposed an alternative rate mechanism under provisions of the Conservation and Ratemaking Efficiency Act adopted during the 2008 session of the General Assembly.

Over a three-year period beginning January 1, 2010, the company proposes to spend $9 million on the conservation initiatives. It projects a customer savings of $22 million over the life of the program.

A public hearing on the request is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2009. It will be held in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, in downtown Richmond. Any person wishing to comment at the hearing should arrive early and notify the SCC bailiff.

Written comments on the proposals must be submitted by October 13, 2009. All correspondence should be sent to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118, and refer to case number PUE-2009-00051.

Interested persons desiring to submit comments electronically may do so at the SCC’s website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/case. Click on the PUBLIC COMMENTS/NOTICES link and then the SUBMIT COMMENTS button for case number PUE-2009-00051.

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Case Number PUE-2009-00051