Here come the natural gas hikes

by: Jason Springer

Fri Oct 03, 2008 at 07:10:15 PM EDT

If skyrocketing gas prices at the pump were the left hook, natural gas increases for heating your home this winter may be the follow up right. The BPU has approved hikes in Natural Gas costs, effective immediately: First, NJ Natural Gas:

Average residential customers who heat their homes with natural gas will see a combined increase of 12.5 percent as a result of the approved price adjustments. Residential customers who do not use natural gas to heat their homes will see a smaller increase to their overall bill this winter.

Here's what that means for you:

NJNG said the average residential heating customer using 100 therms of gas per month will pay an additional $18.78, boosting bills from $150.76 to $169.54.

That's actually less than the 25.5% increase they were seeking, so I guess customers should be thankful? And the news for PSE&G customers:

Recognizing that the cost of natural gas has increased substantially since last winter, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) today approved PSE&G's request to increase natural gas supply rates by 14.3 percent for the average residential customer. It is the first gas supply increase in three years.
A residential gas heating customer who uses 100 therms in a winter month will pay $165.93 per month, or $20.47 more under the new rates. On an annual basis, this customer's bill for 606 therms will be $1,027.24, or an increase of $124.12.

These increases certainly aren't going to make life any easier for people when you add them to everything else that has gone up. What are the chances I can get a ~~bailout~~ helping hand on my heating bill?

Jason Springer :: Here come the natural gas hikes

Tags: BPU, NJ Natural Gas, PSE&G, natural gas, oil, gasoline, (All Tags)

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Here come the natural gas hikes | 5 comments

the answer is Obama will help (0.00 / 0)

He wants to send everyone $1000 to help with higher energy bills and stimulate the economy.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

by: Hopeful @ Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 00:24:48 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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Here's what I don't understand: (0.00 / 0)

I follow the energy markets very closely, because of the news website I run, and NG has been going down. It is down over 50% from last year.

Why did the utility companies get this increase?

The nom de plume has a long and distinguished history.

by: Tandalayo Scheisskopf @ Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 00:43:58 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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What about... (0.00 / 0)

Propane? Is that regulated by the BPU also?

It's kind of a scam. Apparently, the propane companies operate saying they will only fill their own tanks (they own the tanks, and give them to the homeowner to install) so you can't really shop around. I'm thinking it's regulated as well, but I'm not sure...

"Where ever you go, there you are." - Buckaroo Bonzai

by: William Weber (WjcW) @ Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 01:40:32 AM UTC

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Obamas Alaskan Nat Gas pipeline would bring (0.00 / 0)

nat gas to the lower 48.

Palins pipeline brings nat gas to Alberta to be used in the Alberta tar sands project.

Check out my 3 paragraph primer on Polywell Fusion.

by: FogerRox @ Sat Oct 04, 2008 at 02:11:25 AM UTC

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I'm not aware (0.00 / 0)