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High Natural Gas Bill?
You are not alone!
Natural gas utilities across the country began sounding the alarm about increased winter heating costs in mid-summer.

The warning signs came early that this heating season could be rough. Supply was down, demand was high and storage hadn't reached traditional levels. But nothing could have prepared us for this...a double-whammy of higher gas prices and colder-than-normal temperatures.

The result? Higher bills. For everybody. And record numbers of phone calls to our Customer Satisfaction Center.

There are many reasons why natural gas production didn't keep up with demand. Some experts point to the increased use of natural gas to fuel new electric generation plants, and to provide service for new businesses and residential communities as the cause. Others say the artificially low prices that the market saw during the past two years caused producers to cut back on drilling. It is a fact that the natural gas rig count fell from the 600 range prior to 1998 to about 300 to 400 in 1998 and 1999. Today, that count is again on the rise.

Natural gas utilities such as Columbia Gas supply the heating fuel for most American homes. In fact, natural gas provides about 24 percent of all the energy used in the United States, one-third of the energy if you exclude transportation fuels.

In addition, natural gas use has increased by 35 percent over the last decade, and is projected to grow by another 45 percent by 2015.

While these statistics may be interesting and even informative, they didn't lessen the impact when you opened your first natural gas bill of 2001 and found a total that was much higher than you anticipated. To think that something must be wrong with your meter is a rational conclusion. But before you pick up the phone to schedule a meter read and/or inspection, read on.

The potential adverse affects of higher gas prices were expected and predicted. But no one could have predicted the weather, which for years had been kind to the cold weather states, would return with a vengeance and produce temperatures that were more dramatically colder than normal.

In Pennsylvania and Maryland, temperatures this winter have averaged 43 percent colder than last year and 24 percent colder than normal. And the months of November and December were the coldest on record nationwide, according to the National Weather Service.

At the same time, natural gas prices have risen by more than 50 percent. The result, as you´ve come to find out, are substantially higher bills.

Natural gas companies from coast to coast, including Columbia Gas, are attempting to lessen the inevitable outcry by reminding the public that their profit comes from distribution and delivery, and that the price of the energy itself is passed to consumers at cost. And they're encouraging customers to weather-proof homes and spread heating costs across the entire calendar year through budget payment options.

So what can you do?

Reduce your energy usage while keeping your household comfortable by practicing energy conservation measures. Some simple solutions can go a long way.

You might also consider spreading your winter heating costs over the entire year by electing our budget payment option. You also might qualify for any of a number of programs designed to assist income-eligible customers.

What the average gas dollar pays for

I cannot contact the call center by phone

I think I have a problem with my meter

Important information about gas cost

Energy-saving tips

Helpful info:

Keeping your home warm is not an option. But there are ways to minimize the amount of gas you use.

Download this brochure from the U.S. Department of Energy for useful, energy-saving tips.

This brochure from the Energy Information Administration, updated Jan. 1,  is another good source for consumers.

Useful links:

Important information about gas cost

American Gas Association
Information on the causes behind rising natural gas prices under "Issue Focus"

Energy Information Administration

Do I have a meter problem?
To help determine if your increased bill is due to a malfunctioning meter or a leak, compare last year's usage to your current usage (there is a chart on your bill that allows easy comparison). Check for consistency in the "spikes." However, you must remember, the most important factor when assessing gas usage is the weather.

And winter 2001 is over 40 percent colder than winter 2000. The end result is that customers are using more natural gas. Usage goes up as the temperature drops.

If you see this year´s usage is similar to a year ago, the increased price of gas is likely responsible for your increased bill. Remember, last January, a Columbia customer in Pennsylvania paid a total of $0.63 cents per Ccf for gas and delivery. Right now, they pay $1.08 per Ccf.

If you believe you have a malfunctioning meter or other problem and want to schedule a service visit, please e-mail us a detailed explanation of your concerns. Be sure to include your name, service address and account number.

If your bill is based on an estimated meter reading, and you believe that estimation to be too high, there is a way to avoid having your bill estimated. Apply to submit your meter reading online. If you already receive meter reading cards at your home, you are ready to submit your meter reading here. Your bill may be adjusted if your account has been overestimated.

How to read your meter

Higher prices = higher call volumes
The unprecedented combination of higher prices and colder weather has produced record numbers of calls to our Customer Satisfaction Center.

Our call center is designed to handle calls that exceed capacity by 100 percent. But the sheer numbers of calls generated by higher bills has caused, in many cases, hold times substantially longer than normal.

We´ve taken many steps to alleviate the problem. To address the record numbers of calls:

• incoming messages at call centers have been changed to alert customers when they might experience long waits, and to suggest alternate times when call volumes are not as high;
• additional representatives have been hired to handle overflow calls;
• call capacity for incoming calls has been increased; and
• customers are being referred to Web sites for energy-saving tips and information on gas costs.

Still, you may have trouble reaching us via telephone. If you e-mail your name, service address, account number and a detailed explanation, we´ll process your request as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.