March 30 — The Houston utility CenterPoint Energy is seeking its third rate increase in three years for its more than 1 million natural gas customers.

CenterPoint has proposed increasing the base rate that all customers pay, regardless of usage, to 16.45 a month, up 70 cents from $15.75. The rate would go into effect on May 28, if approved by regulators and it faces no objections from lawyers that represent the city of Houston in rate cases.

— Houston Chronicle