The "Other" Gas Price Crisis

PG&E customers might want to start stocking up on candles and maybe even pick up a new sweater or two. PG&E-- which some customers probably think stands for "pummel, gouge, and eviscerate," announced that, due to rising natural gas prices, it predicts an aggregate possible rate hike of more than 15% over the next five months.

The problem stems from the rising cost of natural gas which is used to power the plants that make the electricity. Natural gas is also used to heat most homes so, get ready to pay more for heat, not just electricity.

This isn't solely a PG&E problem; Edison recently said that its rates could possibly jump 25%.

Activitsts who oppose the price hikes claim there is still plenty of cost-cutting that can be done by utilities in-house before cost increases get passed on to consumers.

PG&E warns its bills could soar this winter [San Francisco Chronicle]