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Show Chamber Requests Public Service Hearing On IHoab Gas Deposit Issue The Chamber of Commerce Tuesday voted to request a hearing from the Utah Public Service Commission regarding service deposits required by Utah Gas Service. There have been a number of complaints about the $120 deposit which the company requires of new customers iihouses. As a result of these complaints City Councilman Dixie Barker wrote to die PSC. She was adviced that the PSC uthorized Utah Gas Service to collect 90 days' billing at the outset of service. A letter from Ray L. Pruett, manager of itility engineering and service, states "Since the average billing for Utah Gas Service Company customers is approxi-julely approxi-julely $50 during winter months we would consider the $120 requirement to be reasonable and within the approved tariff provision." He also noted that this requirement has been included in most utility tariffs in Utah. He continued, "Should the City Council feel that this deposit is unjust and unreasonable... it has the right under the Utah Code to file an official complaint with the Public Service Commission and request that a hearing be set. The Utah Code, Section 54-7-9, also lists Chambers of Commerce as proper parties to file complaints, and it was under this provision that the Moab Chamber took its action Tuesday. Mrs. Baker said the Chamber's complaint would "notify the Public Service Commission that, even in view of the fact that this is an established procedure, we feel it is an unreasonable and unjust amount" to ask for customer deposit, and that the Chamber would "ask for a public hearing on the matter." The Moab City Council and Grand County Commission will also both be asked to file complaints. The required deposit comes back to . Utah Gas Service customers at the termination of service with 7 percent simple interest. However, the fact that this money is not lost by customers is not the bone of contention. Most simply feel that the deposit is unreasonably high. Another factor is the language in the terms of service authorized by the PSC to Utah Gas. Regarding deposits, the terms of service read: "Where the credit of an applicant is not established or where the credit of a customer has become impaired or where for other reasons Company deems it necessary, Company may require a deposit or suitable guarantee equivalent to an estimated ninety (90) days' bill but not less than twenty five dollars ($25.00)." It would appear from these terms that a credit rating should be considered before a deposit is required, when in fact, Utah Gas Service requires a deposit from everyone, regardless of credit rating. Local customers must assume that the mandatory deposit is being required by Utah Gas for "other reasons," and these reasons will be questioned at the time a public hearing is held. |