PG&E says natural gas prices are down

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http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/bayarea/stories_baybreak/gasprices_20010301.htm Posted at 10:49 a.m. PST Thursday, March 1, 2001

PG&E says natural gas prices are down BAY CITY NEWS SERVICE --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PG&E has good news for its natural gas customers, announcing that the average residential gas bill is expected to decrease as much as 16 percent this month.

But, the utility says, while prices will drop from levels in recent months, they are still much higher than the average at this time last year.

PG&E records show the average monthly gas bill in March 2000 was $45. Prices hit their highest mark this January, topping out at $125.

The power company says it has no control over the price of natural gas for consumers. Unlike electricity, customers pay the full market price for the gas they use, and PG&E does not profit from higher gas prices.

California is not the only state affected by the high cost of natural gas. Prices across the nation increased last summer because of tight supplies and high demand.

But the company is focusing on the good news -- that the average monthly bill for its customers will fall below $100 for the first time in two months. The new rates take effect March 7.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), March 01, 2001


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