Gas Bill Just Jumped - Yowza!

[Prairie Gates]

I'll try to narrate this without specific location or company info, but we do live in a place where the temperature varies by season. So, we smooth out our gas bill through a program whereby we pay a flat rate by month, even though we don' use gas for heating in the summer. That flat rate was $93.

We just got a notice that our monthly flat rate would be increasing. It is increasing to $114. Sorry, I meant to say it like this: to $114! That is an increase of almost $250 a year, and 22.5% a month! No real reason was given for this increase.

Two disclaimers: 1) I don't think this rate has gone up in the last few years, so it would probably be fair to smooth the percentage increase over the period since the last increase. It's still some sticker shock. 2) The gas company did fit basically the whole area with new meters about two years ago, so maybe they just have more accurate usage data now. Who knows. A third disclaimer is that this increase, while annoying, is not a particular hardship for us, so I'm more commenting on the increase rather than its effects on our budget. That said, if this is happening everywhere for this company, it will certainly be noticed and will certainly be a severe hardship for some, especially on fixed income. You need heat here in the winter.

Now, now. I know for every post that says prices are going up, some yahoo has to jump on and say "Well, such and such went DOWN for me, etc." Yes, your mileage, and your gas bill, will vary. Also, I don't need advice on switching to electric, or moving to a log cabin and sleeping in front of a fireplace (I mean, a few days would be nice at a lodge though). Just a bit of insight into what's happening to some prices some places. Weren't we supposed to drill our way to lower energy prices? 22.5% increase.

[Prairie Gates]

1. Hey now.