A Colorado-based utility wants to increase the rates it charges for providing natural gas in Nebraska.

SourceGas has asked the Nebraska Public Service Commission for permission to increase its distribution rates, but the rate increase won't affect the amount customers pay for the natural gas they use.

SourceGas estimates the rate increase would add $7.43 a month to the average residential customer's bill and add $8.76 a month to the average small business's bill.

SourceGas says it needs the jump because the cost of delivering natural gas has increased and because the last time its distribution rates increased was in 2006.

Lakewood, Colo.-based SourceGas serves about 90,000 customers in central and western Nebraska.