All energy prices are increasing. Oil and gasoline prices have doubled since last summer, with oil up to $134 a barrel and gasoline at more than $4.00 a gallon, the highest average in U.S. history.

Natural gas is no different.  Total U.S. natural gas consumption increased more than 6.2 percent in 2007.

More homebuilders and homeowners are choosing to heat their homes and water with clean, reliable and efficient natural gas; and in addition, more electric power plants are using natural gas to generate electricity instead of coal or oil.  They know that natural gas produces 45 percent fewer CO2 emissions than coal and 30 percent less than oil.  All of this increased demand is steadily increasing the wholesale price for natural gas.

The wholesale price of natural gas that producers charge – that is the price we pay for the gas we deliver to customers without a mark-up – has more than doubled since last summer. The fuel charge now accounts for about 75 percent of a typical customer bill. We adjust the fuel charge up or down depending on how much we are paying for natural gas.

Even with these increases, the many advantages of natural gas make it an easy choice for homeowners and builders alike.