GENEVA — It took 50 people about an hour Monday night to deliver testimony against the proposed 17 percent natural gas distribution rate increase, sending their protests and criticisms to the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.

The crowd gathered at Geneva City Hall and clamored over the company’s $75 million revenue boost and PUCO’s recommendation restructuring the rate, which would add as much as $11.80 to each bill in a fixed rate, raising the cost of energy regardless of usage.

Geneva city Councilman Bruce Beckwith said he burns wood in the winter to stay warm and conserve natural gas.

“I am still hooked up to the gas line so this entire rate increase is being propped on my shoulders,” Beckwith said. “It is like telling the SUV driver to let the guy with the Cavalier pay for your gas.”

Increases in utility prices have forced many people to make hard choices, even forcing some out of their homes, Cleveland Legal Aid employee Ann Reese said.

“We represent people in foreclosure. This country is in a serious mortgage and housing crisis. I see people make the choice between paying utilities or their mortgage,” Reese said. “This will force more people to make that hard choice. This increase is obscene.”

In addition to the distribution rate increase, Dominion is also applying for a 25-year $2.5 billion pipeline replacement plan and a $126 million automated meter reading program on its 1.3 million gas meters. R.W. Cronquist of Ashtabula said he feels misled and lied to about the increase, as a Dominion spokesman convinced the Saybrook Township trustees that any infrastructure improvements would be at no cost to the taxpayers.

“I have that meeting on tape,” Cronquist said. “(The spokesman) clearly says federal money will pay for the pipeline replacement. You can’t have it both ways.”

Ashtabula County Commissioner Dan Claypool said Dominion’s record profits should pay for the infrastructure.

Claypool said Dominion’s $2.6 billion plan, especially the $126 million meter reading program, will put Ohio workers on the unemployment line while the cost of living goes up and up.

“That is $2.6 billion with a ‘b’” Claypool said. “These meter readers will put workers out of jobs and cost consumers more. No one wins here but the gas company.”

Those who could not attend the public meeting can still be part of the official record by writing to the PUCO.

All letters and envelopes should include the case number and should be

sent to: Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Attn: Docketing Division, Case

Number: 07-0829-GA-AIR, 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215.