Gas Rates and Extension Rules
Superior Water, Light and Power Company provides natural gas service within the city of Superior and thirteen other communities within Douglas County, Wisconsin. Our natural gas system is connected to two intrastate pipelines which provides for enhanced system reliability and competitively priced rates with other fuel sources.
While this site will try to explain certain items about certain gas rates, please note all applicable rate schedules and rules and regulations are described in detail in our rate book.
Effective Gas Rates
(Last 24 Months)
Natural gas effective rates are applied to the amount of gas you use within the month. The amount of natural gas that you use in a billing month is shown on your bill in Therms (Thms). While the gas usage in therms will change every month, the effective rate for the gas will also change every month. This is due to the varying cost of the natural gas Superior Water, Light and Power procures each month. We recover gas commodity costs as shown on your bill as Commodity Charge and PGA. PGA is for purchased gas adjustment which is the variable component of the gas cost from the base rate.
The PGA will be applied as either a positive or negative amount per Therm.
SWL&P collects gas costs under a seasonal rate structure that are typically higher in the winter months (October through April) and lower in the summer months (May – September). This rate design better reflects how and when you use the gas within the system and closer to how we are billed for the gas we receive from the pipeline and suppliers. As a general guideline, about 70% of the effective rate you are charged for gas service is directly related to purchase gas costs from outside parties for supplying natural gas.
Distribution Charge
This is the cost of maintaining the distribution system, which includes installing, maintaining and repairing gas lines from the intrastate pipelines to the home or business.
Gas Acquisition Charge
The gas acquisition charge includes the depreciation of the systems and support costs for the SCADA gas system. It also includes any supply related costs for acquiring, scheduling and monitoring the gas supply.
Base Commodity Charge
This is the cost of the natural gas and related costs for security space in the pipeline to transport the gas from the supplier into the distribution system.
The purchase gas adjustment (PGA) is used to adjust the retail price of gas to cover wholesale gas price fluctuations. It is calculated on a per therm basis using the difference between the actual price of natural gas and the price that was assumed when the base rate was determined. This can be a positive or a negative value and change monthly. Also, if your bill falls between two months or more, it will list each month’s PGA rate and usage separately.
During periods of significant or extreme weather—such as prolonged cold snaps or heat waves—demand for natural gas can increase sharply, and production or supply may be affected. These conditions can sometimes lead to higher market prices for natural gas.
To help protect our customers from potential price spikes, our gas supply team takes proactive steps throughout the year to limit the impact on your bill. By planning ahead and securing natural gas supplies in advance, we work to reduce the risk of unexpected costs and help keep your energy costs as stable as possible, even during challenging weather conditions.
We remain committed to providing you with safe and reliable service and supporting our community through all types of weather. If you have any questions, please contact our customer service team at 800-227-7957.
Natural gas (and electricity) sold for residential use is not subject to state sales tax in Wisconsin.
Residential Service (GR1)
APPLICATION
To gas service for residential purposes in single-family dwellings
| Customer Charge | $11.50/meter |
| Distribution Charge | $0.5143/therm |
| Acquisition Charge | $0.0190/therm |
| Base Commodity Charge | $0.5556/therm |
**Base Charge - Subject to Purchased Gas Adjustment - Positive or negative amount indicated as PGA on your Billing Statement (See Effective Gas Rates for current effective rate).
Commercial & Industrial Service (GC1)
APPLICATION
Commercial and industrial customers, for all purposes with annual consumption not to exceed 36,000 therms, subject to an annual review. Customers serviced under this schedule whose annual consumption exceeds 36,000 therms during any of the past 12 consecutive months will be billed under schedule GL1.
| Customer Charge | $28.00/meter |
| Distribution Charge | $0.3917/therm |
| Acquisition Charge | $0.0190/therm |
| Base Commodity Charge | $0.5556/therm |
**Base Charge - Subject to Purchased Gas Adjustment - Positive or negative amount indicated as PGA on your Billing Statement (See Effective Gas Rates for current effective rate).
Large Volume Commercial & Industrial Service - Firm (GL1)
APPLICATION
Large commercial and industrial customers, for all purposes with minimum annual consumption of 36,000 therms, subject to annual review. Customers serviced under this schedule whose annual consumption is less than 36,000 therms during any of the past 12 consecutive months will be billed under schedule GC1.
| Customer Charge | $245.00/meter |
| Distribution Charge | $0.2682/therm |
| Acquisition Charge | $0.0190/therm |
| Base Commodity Charge | $0.5556/therm |
**Base Charge - Subject to Purchased Gas Adjustment - Positive or negative amount indicated as PGA on your Billing Statement (See Effective Gas Rates for current effective rate).
Small Volume Commercial & Industrial Service - Interruptible (Optional) (GI1)
APPLICATION
To large commercial and industrial customers whose maximum hourly requirements are in excess of 8 therms with a maximum daily requirements of less than 2,000 therms and who will agree to discontinue service on thirty minutes notice.
| Customer Charge | $220.00/meter |
| Distribution Charge | $0.2699/therm |
| Acquisition Charge | $0.0190/therm |
| Base Commodity Charge | $0.4481/therm |
**Base Charge - Subject to Purchased Gas Adjustment - Positive or negative amount indicated as PGA on your Billing Statement (See Effective Gas Rates for current effective rate).
Large Volume Commercial & Industrial Service - Interruptible (Optional) (GI6)
APPLICATION
To large commercial and industrial customers whose maximum hourly requirements are in excess of 8 therms with maximum daily requirements in excess of 2,000 therms and who will agree to discontinue service on thirty minutes notice.
| Customer Charge | $750.00/meter |
| Distribution Charge | $0.1670/therm |
| Acquisition Charge | $0.0190/therm |
| Base Commodity Charge | $0.4481/therm |
**Base Charge - Subject to Purchased Gas Adjustment - Positive or negative amount indicated as PGA on your Billing Statement (See Effective Gas Rates for current effective rate).
