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2.22.04

Comparing utilities: M.U.D. and Aquila
by Nancy Gaarder, Omaha World-Herald

Metropolitan Utilities District

  • Ownership: Public utility, based in Omaha.
  • Governance: Seven-person board elected by public.
  • Service: Provides natural gas and water. Serves 194,465 natural gas customers in Nebraska, primarily in Omaha. Other communities include northern Bellevue, Springfield, Bennington, Fort Calhoun and Yutan.
  • Rates: Set by M.U.D. Board.
  • Miles of gas mains: 2,390.
  • Financials: 2003 taxes paid on gas service (state and local sales and payment to local communities in-lieu-of taxes) -- $21.million. 2003 operating revenues on gas service -- $228 million.
  • Customer service: Local phone number and local customer service office, 1723 Harney St.
  • New customer charge: $18; $36 if gas needs to be reconnected.
  • Fees: Relight pilot light, $50; inspect gas-fired appliance, $50; reconnect gas after shut-off for nonpayment, $46; $58 if its's the same day.
  • Cold-weather rule: Won't shut off gas if temperatures are forcasted to drop below 20 degrees.

Aquila, Inc. (formerly Peoples Natural Gas)

  • Ownership: Investor-owned, based in Kansas City, MO; state headquarters in Lincoln, NE
  • Governance: Eight-person board elected by shareholders. Global company in process of selling off international and some domestic assets; soon will become seven-state U.S. utility.
  • Service: Provides natural gas and electricty. Servies 190,000 customers in eastern Nebraska. Communities include Lincoln, southern Bellevue,, LaVista, Papillion, Elkhorn, Columbus, Norfolk, Gretna.
  • Rates: Set by Nebraska Public Service Commission.
  • Miles of gas mains: In Nebraska, 3,150.
  • Financials: 2002 taxes paid in Nebraska -- $12 million. 2002 operating revenues/Nebraska -- $136 million.
  • Customer service: No advertised local customer service office, but assistance available at 501 W. Sixth St., Papillion, 24-hour-toll-free assistance number.
  • New customer charge: $26.
  • Fees: Relight pilot light, $49.95; inspect gas-fired appliance, $49.95; reconnect gas after shut-off for nonpayment, $30.
  • Cold-weather rule: Won't shut off gas if temperatures are forcasted to drop below 30 degrees. State regulators also require Aquila to give customers an additional 30 days to pay from November to March.

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