Aquila is seeking to increase natural gas bills for Lawrence residents and its other Kansas customers.

Leaders with the natural gas company today filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission to increase the average residential natural gas bill by $4.40 per month, or $53 per year. The total request seeks to increase the company’s annual revenues by $7.2 million per year, or 5.1 percent.

Company leaders said the increase is necessary to pay for ongoing operating and maintenance costs. The company says its current rates are based on costs from up to three years ago.

The increases would be in addition to any increase in the actual price of natural gas. Aquila’s rates are based on how much it costs the company to transport and deliver the gas to homes or businesses. The company simply passes along to customers the price it pays to purchase natural gas.

Aquila said if the KCC approves the rate increase, the soonest the new rates would take affect would be June.