The cost of heating your home could be on the rise this winter.  Dominion East Ohio wants to raise the rate you pay for them to deliver the gas.   Residents had their chance to speak out about the issue, for a second time Tuesday night in Youngstown.  Turning down the heat, may not help your energy bill this winter. Currently Dominion East Ohio customers pay a fixed charge of 5 dollars 70 cents a month, but that may be about to change.

Marty Berkowitz, Ohio Consumers' Counsel Spokesperson;  "THE PROPOSAL IS TO RAISE THAT CHARGE TO 17-DOLLARS AND 50 CENTS A MONTH. TAKEN OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR, THAT WOULD RESULT IN CUSTOMERS PAYING AN UP CHARGE OF 210 DOLLARS BEFORE THEY EVEN TURN THEIR FURNACE ON."

Dominion is trying to raise an additional 75-million dollars a year in revenue. This is the first increase the company has requested in 14 years.

Neil Durbin, Dominion East Ohio Media Relations;  "THIS IS OUR FIRST BASE RATE INCREASE FILING SINCE 1994. IF APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION AS WE ORIGINALLY FILED IT, IT WOULD ADD ABOUT 4 DOLLARS 50 CENTS OR ABOUT 4 PERCENT TO THE AVERAGE RESIDENTIAL MONTHLY BILL AMONG OUR 1 POINT 2 MILLION CUSTOMERS HERE IN NORTHEAST OHIO."

The company says that the increase is needed for expenses and costs that have gone up in the last decade. However residents in attendance at a Public Utilities Commission meeting at the Chevy Centre say, they just can't afford it.

John Rosensteel, Poland Resident;  "THAT'S AN INCREASE OF A LITTLE MORE THAN THREE TIMES. AND YOU CAN LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE HERE. AND YOU CAN PROBABLY LOOK AT ANY COMMUNITY THAT YOU GO TO IN THE STATE OF OHIO FOR THESE HEARINGS. I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BUMP INTO TOO MANY PEOPLE THAT YOU BUMP INTO DURING THE COURSE OF YOUR TRAVEL, WHO'S INCOME IS GOING TO GO UP THREE TIMES THIS YEAR."

The ultimate decision lies in the hands of The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, they are expected to rule in the next few months. The commission has one Final public meeting scheduled for Thursday in Akron, before making its decision.