Specifications include, but are not limited to: Chesapeake is a Delaware corporation duly authorized by its articles of incorporation to engage in the business of transporting, distributing and selling natural gas in the State of Delaware. Under 26 Del. C. §102, Chesapeake is a “public utility” and is authorized to sell and distribute natural gas in portions of New Castle County and throughout Kent County and Sussex County, Delaware. Chesapeake, through its Delaware Division, serves approximately 47,000 natural gas customers in Delaware pursuant to rates approved by the Commission. Chesapeake has filed with the Delaware Public Service Commission (the “Commission”) an application seeking to adjust its volumetric delivery rates for the first time in over eight years. Chesapeake alleges that costs have risen since 2007 to a point where the Company is falling short of its authorized return on utility investment. In addition, the Company alleges that natural gas consumption on a per customer basis has declined since 2007, which has decreased the volumes over which to allocate fixed costs. Furthermore, the Company states that since its 2007 rate case, it has invested nearly $11 million in pipeline replacement. In its application, the Company seeks approval of an increase in delivery service rates of $4,741,823 or 9.96% of total operating revenues. Chesapeake states that it seeks an adjustment to its rates to more accurately reflect the current level of sales and the current level of costs that the Company is incurring so that it can provide safe and reliable service to its customers.
