CAIRO UTILITY CUSTOMERS RECEIVE HOLIDAY PLRESENT

CAIRO, Ill. -- More than 2,700 people in a Southern Illinois area stretching from Anna to Cairo are receiving an early Christmas present a reduction in their winter heating bills.

In a move that will save its natural gas customers more than a half-million dollars over a four-month period, the Cairo Public Utility commission (CPUC) has agreed to a temporary rate reduction that will see reductions ranging from 15 to 35 percent.

"It all depends on the customer's rate classification," said Edward M. Doss, chairman of the board of CPUC. "The December savings averaged about 31 percent."

The city-owned utility recently received a $226,500 refund from its natural gas supplier/pipeline, Texas Eastern Transmission Corp.

"This, plus some other funds on hand, are being passed on to all customers, with the exception of industrial customers," said Doss.

The refund from Texas Eastern is the result of litigation that has been going on for the past several years, noted Doss.

"Due to the depressed economy in our area, we want to do everything we can to help our customers cope with winter heating bills," said Doss. "One of the advantages of a locally owned public natural gas system is that we can react to local conditions when we see a need."

The utility provides natural gas service from just south of Anna to Cairo and serves more than 2,700 customers.

The rate reduction is nothing new for the customers.

"We have managed to provide customers with some holiday cheer over the past couple of years," said Doss. "We the utility board, management and staff wish all of the customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We hope this reduction will make the holiday season a little more enjoyable."

Doss said the latest rate reduction would show up on bills for December through March 1993.