France's CRE proposes rate hike on gas transport grid

PARIS, July 28 (Reuters) - French energy regulator CRE has proposed raising rates for gas companies to access France's gas transport grid owned by GDF Suez (GSZ.PA) by 6 percent from Jan 1, 2009 until 2012.

The CRE proposed the hike in rates to the government, which will make its ruling by Sept. 18, 2008, GDF Suez said in a statement.

On July 1, rates to access the gas distribution grid -- the network that links the transport grid to gas customers -- rose by 5.6 percent, also until 2012. (Reporting by Marie Maitre; Editing by Paul Bolding)