Local

Piedmont Natural Gas wins rate increase

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Piedmont Natural Gas Co. has won a rate increase from North Carolina regulators.

The Charlotte Observer reported that customers' rates will increase an average of $2.50 a month beginning next month.

The North Carolina Utilities commission said the 3.6 percent rate increase will be offset by reductions in fuel costs and other adjustments that also take effect Jan. 1. The commission says the typical customer will pay up to $50 less for natural gas during 2014.

The increase is the first general rate hike for the Charlotte-based company since 2008. Piedmont has nearly 700,000 customers in North Carolina.