Virginia Natural Gas (VNG) residential users could see their utility bills increase by an average of over $8 monthly, if state regulators accept the company’s current proposal to make an interim rake hike permanent. The gas utility’s original proposal asked the State Corporation Commission to allow them additional revenue of over $60 million that would have added an average of $11 to residential gas users’ bills. Since the interim rate has been put into place, however, consumer advocates said they have learned of major increases for some households. “VNG’s requested rate increase is driven by the substantial investments needed to improve the operations, safety, reliability and resiliency of its system to meet growing energy demand. The SCC will receive legal briefs from the parties and then consider their approval or denial of the rate increase later in the year.