Proposed Mass. Natural Gas Rate Hikes Cut By $13M

BOSTON (AP) _ Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey and Columbia Gas have reached an agreement that cuts the natural gas company's proposed rate hike of nearly $50 million by more than $13 million and prevents another distribution rate hike for three years.

The agreement announced Thursday also includes money for moderate-income residents pay their energy bills.

Columbia Gas sought the rate hikes to maintain its gas distribution infrastructure and improve employee training.

A company spokeswoman says those initiatives will continue but with a ``focus on managing the budget.''

The rate hike reduction and refunds due to customers are expected to save the average residential heating customer about $37 over one year.

If approved by the state Department of Public Utilities, the new rates will take effect Nov. 1.

Columbia serves about 305,000 customers in Massachusetts.