Longview, TX — Longview residents and East Texans wanting to cool off in the summer heat, stay warm in the winter and keep the lights on could be facing a double whammy in coming months.

Two of the region’s major energy providers — AEP Southwestern Electric Power Co. and CenterPoint Energy — are seeking approval for rate increases.

CenterPoint earlier this month filed papers with the Texas Railroad Commission to change the base gas rate it charges for 194,000 customers in 106 cities, including about 10,000 customers in Longview, according to spokeswoman Alicia D. Dixon. If approved, it would mean a 21 percent jump in the residential base rate that could go into effect as early as Aug. 6.

And in early June, SWEPCO filed a preliminary letter of intent with the Public Utility Commission of Texas indicating plans to file an application for an increase. Filing of the application is expected as soon as this week.

At CenterPoint, Dixon said the overall average increase for a residential customer using 3,600 cubic feet of natural gas a month would be $3.96.

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