Nov. 6--Customers who use natural gas to power snow-melting equipment on sidewalks and driveways could be subject to service interruptions during periods of high use, if Intermountain Gas Co. sells the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on the idea.

Intermountain Gas said in a news release that natural gas-fired snow-melters have gained popularity in the past decade and can "impact system pressures at times." The company is asking the PUC to allow temporary cut-offs to the devices to ensure reliable service to residential and commercial customers who rely on natural gas for space and water heating.

The company has asked the commission, which regulates utility monopolies in Idaho, to implement new "Residential and Small Commercial Interruptible Snowmelt Rate Schedules" to govern the use of all incremental snowmelt loads. Existing residential and small commercial snowmelt customers will have the option of electing the proposed interruptible rate schedules.

Public comment is part of the PUC's review. Copies of the proposal are available at the offices of the company and the PUC.

Intermountain Gas is a subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., and serves about 305,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 74 communities in southern Idaho.

For more information, www.intgas.com.

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