The continuing increase in natural gas prices is reflected in higher rates that took effect March 1 for customers of PPL Gas Utilities.
PPL Gas Utilities raised the portion of customer bills that covers the purchase of natural gas to $7.47 from $6.71 per dekatherm. A dekatherm is a measure of the heat energy in natural gas. Customers can check their monthly gas bills to see how much gas they use.
"As a local natural gas delivery company, we purchase gas for our customers from producers who own and operate gas wells," said Robert M. Geneczko, president of PPL Gas Utilities, which serves customers in parts of 34 Pennsylvania counties through its PFG Gas and North Penn Gas subsidiaries.
"The cost of natural gas we buy is a straight pass-through to customers. We make no profit on gas purchases. We want what our 75,000 customers want — an abundant supply of natural gas at affordable prices," Geneczko said.
With the increase in the Gas Supply charge, the total bill of a residential customer who uses 9 dekatherms of natural gas a month will increase by 6.5 percent from $104.32 to $111.11. The effect on individual customers will depend on how much natural gas they use.
Geneczko noted that the increase takes effect as the heating season — typically the period of highest natural gas use by residential customers — is coming to an end. Reduced gas use for home heating should help lessen the effect of the increase on the total bills for residential customers.
Natural gas delivery companies may adjust the Gas Supply Charge quarterly. The current charge will be in effect at least through May 31, 2004.
Higher natural gas prices also affect commercial and industrial customers of PPL Gas Utilities. The total bill for a typical commercial customer using 33 dekatherms of natural gas a month will increase by 7.7 percent to $349. The total bill for an industrial customer using 170 dekatherms of natural gas a month will increase 8.3 percent to $1,675.
To help residential customers manage their gas bills, PPL Gas Utilities offers a Budget Billing option that evens out seasonal changes in the gas bill. The company also has special services for customers with financial hardships. For information, customers may call toll-free, 1-800-652-0550.
PPL Gas Utilities is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation. Headquartered in Allentown, Pa., PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) controls about 11,500 megawatts of generating capacity in the United States, sells energy in key U.S. markets and delivers electricity to customers in Pennsylvania, the United Kingdom and Latin America.