By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The state Public Service Commission will hold a special hearing next month to investigate natural gas rates in Alabama. The commission will compare Alabama's rates to those in other states. Natural gas prices have gone up 37 percent in Alabama during the past four months. Though Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused severe problems for the industry, published reports show prices in Alabama are higher than those in other southern states. The Public Service Commission scheduled a hearing for January 31st to hear from officials with Alabama Gas Company and Mobile Gas Service Corporation. However, utility officials will only answer questions from the Public Service Commission, staff members and the attorney general's office. The general public would not be allowed to ask questions.