NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION

FOR AN EXPEDITED INCREASE IN RATES BY

COMMONWEALTH GAS SERVICES, INC.

CASE NO. PUE910029

On April 16,1991, Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc. ("Commonwealth” or "the Company") filed an application for an expedited rate relief with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia ("Commission") to increase its rates and charges for natural gas service to produce additional gross annual operating revenue of $3,292,375, an increase in operating revenue of 2.5%. In its application, Commonwealth requested that its proposed tariffs go into effect within thirty days of the date that its application was filed with the Commission. Pursuant to Virginia Code S 56-240 and its Order of May 7, 1991, the Commission has permitted the Company’s proposed increase in rates to become effective, subject to refund with interest, for service rendered on and after May 16,1991.

The Commission has also scheduled a public hearing before a Hearing Examiner to be held on September 4, 1991, at 10:00 a m., in the Commission's 13th Floor Courtroom, located in the Jefferson Building, 1220 Bank Street, Richmond, Virginia, to receive evidence relevant to Commonwealth's application. Interested persons should be advised that after considering all of the evidence, the Commission may prescribe rates, fees, charges, and terms and conditions of service applicable to natural gas service which differ from those appearing in the Company's application.

A copy of the Company's application is available for public inspection during regular business hours at any Company office where customer bills may be paid and, from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, located on Floor B-1 of the Jefferson Building, 1220 Bank Street, Richmond, Virginia.

Any person desiring to comment in writing on the application may do so by directing such comments on or before July 8,1991, to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23216. Such comments must refer to Case No. PUE910029. Any person desiring to make a statement at the public hearing, either for or against the application, need only appear in the Commission's Courtroom at 9:30 a m. on the day of the hearing and identify himself or herself to the Bailiff as a public witness.

On or before July 8, 1991, persons desiring to participate as a Protestant, as defined in Rule 4:6 of the Commission's Rules of practice and Procedure ("Rules"), and to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses, shall file an original and fifteen (15) copies of a notice of protest as provided in Rule 5:16(a) with the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission of Virginia at the address set forth above and shall serve a copy on Commonwealth and on all other parlies of record. Service upon Commonwealth shall be directed to Stephen H. Watts. II, Esquire, and Jacquelyn E. Stone, Esquire, McGuire, Woods, Battle & Boothe, One James Center, Richmond, Virginia 23219, and upon Andrew J. Sonderman, General Counsel, Marjorie H. Brant, Esquire, Rodney W. Anderson, Esquire, Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc., P.O. Box 117, Columbus, Ohio 43216-0117.

Within five (5) days of the receipt of any notice of protest. Commonwealth shall serve upon each Protestant a copy of all material now or hereafter filed with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia.

Any person who expects to submit evidence, cross-examine witnesses or otherwise participate in the proceeding as a Protestant, pursuant to Rule 4:6, shall file on or before July 26, 1991, an original and fifteen (15) copies of a protest with the Clerk oi the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23216, and simultaneously serve a copy thereof upon the Company and any other Protestant. The protest shall set forth (i) a precise statement of the interest of the Protestant in the proceeding; (ii) a full and clear statement of the facts which the Protestant is prepared to prove by competent evidence; and (iii) a statement of the specific relief sought and the legal basis therefor. Any corporate entity that wishes to submit evidence, crossexamine witnesses or otherwise participate as a Protestant must be represented by legal counsel in accordance with the requirements of Rule 4:8.

On or before July 26, 1991, each Protestant shall file with the Clerk of the Commission at the address set forth above an original and fifteen (15) copies of the prepared testimony and exhibits Protestant intends to present at the hearing and shall serve a copy of same upon Commonwealth and upon any other Protestant. Service upon Commonwealth shall be directed to Stephen H. Watts, II, Esquire, and Jacquelyn E. Stone, Esquire, McGuire. Woods, Battle & Boothe, One James Center, Richmond, Virginia 23219, and upon Andrew J. Sonderman, General Counsel, Marjorie H. Brant, Esquire, and Rodney W. Anderson, Esquire, Commonwealth Gas Services, Inc., P.O. Box 117, Columbus, Ohio 43216-0117.

Any party participating as a Protestant should review the instructions regarding discovery set forth in the Commission's Order in this proceeding dated May 16.1991.

All written communications to the Commission should be directed to William J. Bridge, Clerk, State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23216, and should refer to Case No. PUE910029.

COMMONWEALTH GAS SERVICES, INC.