State regulators have denied Bluefield Gas' request to raise rates by 6.89 percent.

The Public Service Commission says in an order released this
week that professional account expenses submitted by the company
were in dispute. The utility was ordered to coordinate its tax year
and annual report year.

Bluefield Mayor Linda Whalen and South Bluefield Neighborhood
Association executive director Blaine Braithwaite praised the PSC's
decision.

Braithwaite tells the Bluefield Daily Telegraph that Bluefield Gas had received approval to raise rates eight out of the past 10 years.

Whalen says any increase would be an additional burden.

Bluefield Gas has said the rate increase was needed because of
the economy, expenses and the loss of several major customers. The utility serves about 3,600 customers.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)