SOUTH BURLINGTON — Vermont Gas announces the approval from the Public Service Board to reduce rates effective Nov. 1. The reduction in the cost of natural gas will be passed on to residential and business customers, resulting in prices that are almost 44 percent less than fuel oil and 54 percent lower than propane.
Eric Provost is the owner of Twisted Wrench Automotive Sales and Service in South Burlington, and has been a long-time Vermont Gas customer. “Energy costs continue to impact all businesses, and in the competitive world of automobile sales and service, any savings is welcome,” Provost said. “Lower rates help us to offer high-quality services to our customers at a fair price. It will be nice to see rates fall as the temperature does.”
“Vermont Gas continues to provide an affordable, cleaner and safer fuel to help Vermonters heat their family homes and businesses,” said Stephen Wark, director of communications at Vermont Gas. “This rate decrease continues a trend of lower costs and, coupled with our award-winning energy efficiency programs, we can help people cut their heating bills by up to 50 percent.”
Vermont Gas currently serves nearly 50,000 customers in Chittenden and Franklin county communities, where they have been in business for nearly 50 years. Recent efforts to expand access to natural gas include the addition of service in Richmond and Enosburg. Vermont Gas is currently working with residents, employers, local and state officials to deliver the economic and environmental benefits of cleaner and more affordable natural gas to Addison and Rutland counties. 
In Vermont, natural gas residential customers can save up to $2,000 per year when compared to fuel oil or propane; eligible low-income Vermont Gas customers can receive an additional 20 percent discount. The company’s long heritage for safe and reliable operations includes its award-winning energy-efficiency programs, which reduce energy use while saving homeowners and businesses more an additional $13 million every year.