Is ComCom about to make a bad decision about gas pipelines?

Lawyer Stephen Franks is opposing the commission's proposal. (Image: Franks Ogilvie)

Wed, 25 May 2022

Next Tuesday, the Commerce Commission will announce a decision that could mean price hikes over and above market prices for consumers of piped natural gas.The commission itself estimates that, if it sticks to its draft decision announced in February, that will mean a $55 a year increase in the gas bill for the typical household each year from Oct 1 this year through to Sept 30, 2026.The average household gas bill is about $1,275 a year, the commission said.Given that the owners of gas pipeline businesses (GPBs) are monopolies, the commission is...

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