PG&E customers across Northern California are seeing higher-than-normal costs for gas on their utility bills. West Sacramento resident Timothy Allen said his most recent bill was about $662, more than $400 of which was for gas. He said he is now doing everything he can to save money so he can pay for the energy for his home in West Sacramento. in the winter,” Allen said. “Last month I paid $200 for both gas and electricity, and then all of a sudden it shoots up like a rocket. I’m like, ‘What’s going on?'” Allen’s situation is an extreme case, but he’s not the only one dealing with a rate hike. KCRA 3 went straight to PG&E spokesman Paul Moreno to ask what is going on and what is being done to help customers facing these huge costs.Q: Why are PG&E customers getting high gas bills?Moreno: Natural gas bills are higher for a number of reasons.It’s a very cold winter. Demand is higher. Usage is higher. And unfortunately supply side is a bit tighter partly because of natural gas pipeline issues affecting supply. So, with higher demand and tighter supply, we’re the wholesale prices for natural gas a lot higher, and this means utilities like PG&E, we’re not increasing the price of natural gas that we charge our customers, it’s a straight pass, and unfortunately that means higher bills for our customers. How much more are customers charged on average? Moreno: Because natural gas prices are higher in the wholesale market, that means consumers are buying about 32% more this winter than last winter. That translates to about $79 more per month. Q: What is PG&E doing to help customers cope with higher gas costs? Moreno: PG&E is working with legislators, policy makers and regulators to find ways to bring relief to customers. And one possible relief is the California Climate Credit, which is usually issued in April. That could happen about a month or two sooner if the votes go well. Every April and October for PG&E customers and other California utilities, there is a climate credit on their bills for both gas and electricity usage. It’s usually about $91 for a combined credit for both gas and electricity that shows up on that bill twice a year… PG&E also stocks natural gas during the summer months when prices are cheaper. We use underground storage for natural gas. We will use these to help moderate the gas price for our customers. Q: What can customers do to try and save on their energy bills? Moreno: To help reduce consumption, we urge customers to wash clothes in cold water, keep your boiler thermostat at 120 degrees, and your heating thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, and if your health allows it allows you to switch off your heating when you are not at home… You want to make sure that your windows and doors are properly closed. You can use draft excluders to keep the cold air out. On a sunny day, open the curtains and blinds to let the sunlight into your home to warm up your home a bit, and make sure your heating is working properly and that your oven’s filters are changed at least every three months .What else can be done? PG&E also offers discount programs for those who qualify. Some of those programs are based on income or medical needs. PG&E says people can also extend their account due date or make a payment arrangement.
PG&E customers across Northern California are finding their utility bills are higher than normal for gas.
West Sacramento resident Timothy Allen said his most recent bill was about $662, of which more than $400 was for gas. He said he is now doing what he can to save money so he can pay for the energy for his home in West Sacramento.
“I don’t just go out and spend money because now I have to keep myself warm in the winter,” Allen said. “Last month I paid $200 for both gas and electricity, and then all of a sudden it shoots up like a rocket. I’m like, ‘What’s going on?'”
Allen’s situation is an extreme case, but he’s not the only one dealing with a rate hike. KCRA 3 went straight to PG&E spokesperson Paul Moreno to ask what’s going on and what’s being done to help customers facing this huge cost.
Q: Why are PG&E customers getting high gas bills?
Moreno: Natural gas bills are higher for a number of reasons. It has been a very cold winter. Demand is higher. Usage is higher. And unfortunately, supply is a bit tighter on the supply side, partly due to natural gas pipeline issues impacting supply. So, with higher demand and tighter supply, wholesale prices for natural gas are a lot higher, and this means utilities like PG&E, we’re not increasing the price of natural gas that we charge our customers. It’s a straight pass-through, and unfortunately it means higher bills for our customers.
Q: How much more are customers charged on average?
Moreno: Because natural gas prices on the wholesale market are higher, consumers will pay about 32% more this winter than last winter. That translates to about $79 more per month.
Q: What is PG&E doing to help customers cope with higher gas costs?
Moreno: PG&E is working with legislators, policy makers and regulators to find ways to bring relief to customers. And one possible relief is the California Climate Credit, which is usually issued in April. That could come a month or two sooner if voting goes well.
Every April and October, PG&E customers and other utilities in California have a climate credit on their bills for both gas and electricity usage. It’s usually about $91 for a combined credit for both gas and electricity that shows up on that bill twice a year… PG&E also stocks natural gas during the summer months when prices are cheaper. We use underground storage for natural gas. We will use this to help moderate the gas price for our customers.
Q: What can customers do to try and save on their energy bills?
Moreno: To help reduce usage, we recommend that customers wash clothes in cold water, set the thermostat for your water heater to 120 degrees and keep your thermostat for your heating set to 68 degrees or lower and, health permitting, turn off your heating when you are not at home… You want to make sure that your windows and doors are properly closed. You can use draft excluders to keep the cold air out. On a sunny day, open the curtains and blinds to let the sunlight into your home to warm up your home a bit, and make sure your heating is working properly and that your oven’s filters are changed at least every three months .
What else can be done?
PG&E also offers discount programs to those who qualify. Some of those programs are based on income or medical needs.
PG&E says people can also extend their account due date or make a payment arrangement.