7. The Proposed Charges

The existing charges were established in 1996. Applicant represents that its proposed charges are cost based. The proposed increases are due to increased pay scales and higher administrative costs. In some cases, more skilled personnel are needed to do the job, and/or increased time is needed.

The existing charge for EQV removal is a fixed charge of $47.50 plus a transaction charge of $9.00. Applicant proposes to charge $83.28 plus materials for the first hour and $13.87 for every quarter hour thereafter, and to eliminate the transaction charge.

The current "trip charge" for estimating the cost of removal of EQVs on Applicant's pipelines is $32.50. Applicant proposes to charge $34.89, if removal is not authorized at the time of the estimate. Applicant proposes to use the same $34.89 charge for any trip made to a customer's location for any reason due to the customer's, and not Applicant's, circumstances where removal of an EQV on Applicant's pipeline is not performed.

The existing charge for restoration of gas service after an EQV shuts off gas for any reason is $50.00. Applicant proposes to charge $63.39.

We will approve Applicant's proposed charges, which are not opposed by the other parties, and are supported by a detailed cost analysis.