Home » Price of natural gas to drop 34 percent for Columbia Gas customers

Price of natural gas to drop 34 percent for Columbia Gas customers

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 23, 2012) — Columbia Gas of Kentucky has received approval from the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) for its most recent gas cost adjustment. Effective May 30, Columbia Gas of Kentucky’s gas supply cost will be $3.7230 per Mcf (1,000 cubic feet), a 34 percent decrease from its current price of $5.6509. The new price will remain in effect until the next scheduled gas cost adjustment in September.

Columbia Gas of Kentucky typically adjusts its prices quarterly to reflect current market conditions. Natural gas distribution companies do not earn a profit on their gas commodity costs and Columbia Gas of Kentucky passes the cost along to customers without markup.

A customer’s monthly bill is comprised of two primary components: the gas supply cost and delivery costs. The delivery charges cover the cost of delivering the gas to the customer’s home or business through the company’s pipeline infrastructure, as well as line inspection, repair, 24-hour emergency service, etc. The gas supply cost includes the commodity cost, interstate pipeline charges and storage costs. The gas supply cost charges typically account for about half of a customer’s monthly bill.

Despite low commodity costs, Columbia still encourages customers to enroll in the budget payment plan, which spreads winter heating costs throughout the year and allows customers to pay the same amount every month. The plan begins in May of each year, but customers can enroll at any time by calling 1-800-432-9345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Columbia Gas of Kentucky also offers a series of residential energy efficiency programs, called WarmWise, to help customers save energy. WarmWise includes furnace replacements for eligible low-income customers, free home energy audits for customers who own single-family homes with natural gas heat and natural gas appliance rebates for a variety of high-efficiency natural gas heating, water heating and hearth products.

Columbia Gas is partnering with Community Action Council and its weatherization program for its WarmWise furnace replacement program. To determine if they are eligible for a free furnace replacement and to register for the weatherization program, customers should call Community Action Council at 1-800-244-2275.

To request a free WarmWise home energy audit, customers should call 1-800-300-8709 or complete the online request form at www.columbiagasky.com/warmwise.