Puget Sound Energy lowers natural gas rates

SEATTLE – Natural gas prices for Puget Sound Energy customers are going down for the second time this year.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission on Thursday approved PSE's request to lower natural gas rates by about 16 percent. PSE says the average customer will see their monthly bill drop about $14.88 starting Oct. 1.

The price change is being credited to the decline in the

wholesale cost of fuel.

But on the flip side, PSE is asking the UTC to approve what it calls a slight increase on electricity bills. It's also asking to add a one cent-per-month on natural gas and electric bills to help cover the costs of the company's low-income assistance program.