AUGUSTA (AP) – Northern Utilities is seeking a rate increase because of the rising cost of natural gas.

Northern Utilities is asking the Maine Public Utilities Commission for a cost-of-gas increase that would result in higher bills for consumers.

If the PUC approves the increase, rates would go from about $92 to $99 a month for the August-through-October period. Northern Utilities is the dominant natural gas distributor in southern Maine.