Natural Gas Prices on the Rise

PG&E Customers will pay more for natural gas this winter...alot more:

Staying warm this winter and cool next summer likely will be more expensive, as the Modesto and Turlock irrigation districts consider joining Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in raising rates.

Natural gas rates will go up 11.9 percent in November, compared to November of last year, PG&E spokesman Mark Hendrickson said.

An average November residential gas bill for 41 therms of use will rise from $41.70 to $46.66, Hendrickson said.

Hendrickson said PG&E does not profit from the sale of natural gas, only from transportation of it. The transportation costs are roughly a third of the gas rate.

Natural gas prices are up 15.7 percent over a year ago, while the transportation price rose about 5 percent, according to figures supplied by Hendrickson.