Yes, sometimes prices do actually go down! PSE&G today proposed to reduce residential natural gas bills this coming winter by nearly 9 percent, saving customers almost $15 in a winter month or about $100 for the year. In its annual filing with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, PSE&G said it would reduce its basic gas supply rate this winter to 45 cents from 54 cents – the lowest rate in 14 years.
With this reduction, a typical residential heating customer using 160 therms in the winter months, and 1,050 therms per year, would see their annual bill reduced to $987.96 from $1,084.74 for a savings of $96.78, or approximately 8.9 percent. This same customer would see their monthly winter bill reduced to $150.17 from $164.92 for a savings of $14.75, or approximately 8.9 percent. The new rate would take effect October 1, 2014.
“We are pleased to once again propose to lower gas bills for our customers during the next winter heating season,” said Jorge Cardenas, PSE&G vice president of asset management and centralized services. “Since January 2009, our residential gas customers have benefited from multiple rate decreases. Once this decrease goes into effect, gas supply reductions will have lowered bills 44 percent in the last five years.
“In addition”, Cardenas said, “customers have enjoyed several months of bill credits this winter that saved the typical customer about $173 since last November.”
Cardenas said the company has worked hard to manage the portfolio of gas pipeline and storage agreements to be able to lower gas costs for its residential customers and help keep winter heating bills affordable. The utility also continues to purchase gas from the nearby Marcellus Shale Formation, which has helped to lower supply costs.
PSE&G makes no profit on the sale of natural gas. The company passes along what it pays to customers. Costs for natural gas supply account for approximately half of a customer’s bill.
