Mountaineer gas wants to lower rates for customers for the second consecutive year. Gas rates for residential customers will likely drop by 5.24 percent. If the state public service commission approves the lower rate, the average residential customer's monthly gas bill would drop by about $7.50 a month. What is the reason cited for the rate reduction?

a. Increase in natural gas prices
b. Decline in natural gas prices
c. Rise in electricity rates
d. No reason provided