Just in time for the winter heating season, Puget Sound Energy gas customers will receive a drop in their rates.

This month, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved multiple requests from Puget Sound Energy to decrease the combined average monthly natural gas cost by 2.6 percent for residential customers. This means an average household using 64 therms per month will see a decrease of $1.80, bringing their bill to $68.

In December, Puget Sound Energy anticipates the commission to rule on a separate request to overall lower natural gas rates by another 3.8 percent.

Combined, November’s drop in natural gas bills along with the anticipated decrease in December will result in an overall average 6.5 percent decrease in natural gas rates.

The lowered natural gas bills are a result of adjustments reflecting market prices for gas supplies the utility purchases for customers and the costs of operating the natural gas system.