Natural gas bills going up in South Jersey. Here's how much

Bills for most natural gas customers in South Jersey are set to increase as the winter heating season nears.

The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Friday approved an increase in South Jersey's Gas Co.'s base rate.

What this means is the typical residential gas customer who uses an average of 100 therms each month will see their bills increase by $14.73, the company said.

The hike takes effect Nov. 1.

The Folsom-based utility said the money will be used for ongoing infrastructure improvements to its gas delivery system including the replacement of aging gas mains.

While this is the company's first increase in its base rate since 2014, South Jersey Gas has been granted other increases since that time.

The company maintains that even with the latest increase, gas bills are lower than 10 years ago. It says this is thanks to a plentiful gas supply because of availability and proximity of gas-rich Marcellus Shale areas to South Jersey.

South Jersey Gas serves approximately 381,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem and parts of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties.

Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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