Robbins decries proposed gas rate change

Energy activist Paul Robbins is sounding the alarm about gas prices for Austin residents. The company that provides gas to city residences, Texas Gas Service, has proposed changing the way it charges customers to fund its conservation programs. Currently, households pay a little under 4 cents per 100 cubic feet of gas consumed. TGS is proposing simply charging every household a flat rate of $1.19 a month. Robbins has denounced the proposal as regressive and likely to raise prices for low-income households that currently try to cut costs by reducing energy consumption. City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the new rates Thursday, but on Tuesday Council members agreed at a work session to postpone the item to a future meeting.