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Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > November > 03 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US(Au) Natural Gas: The Naked Truth
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Don’t jump to another page. Yes, this is an entry about gas, a subject with which we are obsessed, but not the type you pump into your car before going into the convenience story to buy a Big Gulp.
No, this is about the gas that warms your home. Natural gas. The good news is, you won’t have to gulp big as you pay your bill.
Costs are trending downward. That’s a blessing to those of us with variable plans, with which rates are adjusted monthly. That’s opposed to a fixed rate, where customers lock in, generally for 12 months.
With prices falling, one option is to consider a shorter fixed plan, such as six months offered by some companies. Otherwise, variable may be the way to go.
Are you on a fixed or variable plan? Happy with your choice?
The Georgia Public Service Commission provides an excellent price comparison chart for both options, plus a senior citizen menu. The most helpful column in the chart is “apples-to-apples” price per therm.
A few years ago, at the recommendation of Clark Howard, I jumped to Walton EMC. Every time I’ve checked, I patted myself on the back. You will notice on the PSC summary page that Walton pitches the lowest standard fixed rate. Kudos to Fireside Natural Gas for providing the best variable and senior citizens plan.
Have you switched companies lately? Any regrets?
As more competition invades the state, prices could dip further. One newcomer is Stream Energy, which takes a direct marketing, word-of-mouth approach designed to eliminate expenses accrued by established outfits.
Exercise caution while changing plans. Some companies charge a switch fee, and there could be hidden fees. Ask for a breakdown of your potential bill before signing on.
And if you save money, celebrate … with a Big Gulp.
Check out other money saving tips at Your Money
Comments
By gbarton
November 3, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
With some of the most competitive rates in the market, Stream Energy is a fantastic option for Georgians who are looking to save money on their natural gas bills and get paid by Stream’s parent company when you pay your own natural gas bill. Start a business with just a handful of customers and receive income month after month, year after year, when customers pay their natural gas bills.
By Larry
November 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Stream is a great company. Easy to do business with and you get some of the best rates in the industry. Put that together with making extra income and you can’t beat the results.
By NGJ15
November 3, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Another opportunity is MXEnergy and it’s partner company, Zurvita, which is very similar to what Stream Energy does! This option offers customers the opportunity to build their own business while offering the opportunity to make money while paying their own gas bill and others paying as well.
By Buffalo Chip
November 3, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Your rite, Larry. Stream is a grate company. And evry time I blog about them, they lower my rats.
By disgusted
November 3, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
deregulation should never have happend.
By Who
November 3, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Does anyone, other than Disgusted, NOT work for Stream?
By DHD
November 3, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this
Just compare the rates. It’s a simple thing to do. Make sure you read the fine print. I switched to Stream Energy also and have been amazed at their customer service as well as great rates.
By shaggy
November 3, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
If you want to save on gas, restore the monopoly that was Atlanta Gas Light.
Once the greedy middlemen were inserted through deregulation, there was no hope for the consumer to EVER buy gas cheap.
How, was deregulation of natural gas supposed to help the consumer??? Name me one “consumer” that benefited from deregulation by paying cheaper prices than before. I dare you. Plus, the stupid Georgia voters let them do it with nary a whimper.
By we'll see
November 3, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
I was reluctant to lock in on a fixed rate this year. I have done so in the past but not the last 2 years. I am with Walton EMC and decided to lock in with their 6 month plan at $0.98 per therm. Hopefully I won’t regret it but at least it’s not for a full year.
By Pie
November 3, 2008 5:35 PM | Link to this
If you want a marketer for the long haul, choose either Walton or Cowetta-Fayette. The PSC pricing charts go back not just months, but years. Walton and Cowetta have consistently been at the low end on prices. More importantly, unlike some of the other marketers they do not stick loyal customers on higher priced plans without telling them.
By Mike D
November 3, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
I heard Stream Energy is owned by Hugo Chavez and devotes all of its profits to clubbing baby seals to death.
By Texas Pete
November 3, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Since the break up of Atlanta Gas Light, I got to watch our winter energy bills go from $60 per month to $300. I feel much better about all of the savings competition brought us.
By shaggy
November 3, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Wow,
Atlanta Gas Light puts in the line and the meter. You lamebrain numbskulls (read consumers)pay a whole “marketing” company just to send you a inflated bill. Plus, you quietly pay it and believe you got a good deal.
PT Barnum was right. “There is a sucker born every minute”.
By brad
November 3, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
I listened to a Stream Energy pitch the other night. They emphasized not worrying about signing people up for natural gas service, but rather focusing on building your team. Of course if everyone does the same as you….this is nothing but a ponzi scheme. This year over year income stream is just silly as the regulatory/competitive landscape is likely going to be completely different in a couple years. Besides, what happens when a competitor comes out with a new, lower rate? I’ll tell you…..the customers switch and the house of cards collapses. Multi-level marketing schemes are just that.
By Jedd Clampett
November 3, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
I just got my October gas bill. The problem is that we only used $28 in gas but my bill was $55. What a load of crap! With all the other charges they tack on to your bill, the per therm rate does not matter that much. We are getting screwed 6 ways to Sunday. Bend over and grab your ankles is my last comment. Here it comes!
By Mike D
November 3, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
I think our Gas marketing company puts a chemical on its bill that acts as a mild laxative. Every time I open our bill, I feel a loose bowel movement approaching.
By Jim Martin
November 3, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this
This is jim Marin and I approve this blog. I will propose a tax increase on all natural gas purchases to generate enough funds to pay all poor peoples gas bills. To qualify as a poor person you need to show proof that you voted for me and that you IQ is below 80.
By Your God Barack
November 3, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
When this election is over and I have won, I will line up all john McCain voters, have them bow before me, and p1ss on every one of them.
By Michael
November 3, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
WALTON EMC. WALTON EMC is the cheapest. Just look at the prices on the PSC website. I am just a regular consumer and I have found by far that Walton EMC is the cheapest. Its true. They don’t advertise, so they don’t have high rates to cover all of those billboards on the interstate. There is a reason the companies that charge the most, advertise the most. Money, Money,Money and stupid people.
Go with WALTON EMC. Trust me you always win.
By mr. cheapskatin'
November 4, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
It is a safe assumption that the higher-charging gas providers also are spending the most on marketing. In this business, like many others, a name brand doesn’t carry extra weight. Gas is gas.
Have you find any differences?
I’m not totally sold on the direct marketing approach of newbies like Stream Energy. I do have a few trustworthy friends who recently got involved.
By Mookie
November 5, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
I love the anti-dereg folks. Are you naive enough to believe that AGL didn’t have the same expenses that the marketers do? Do you truly believe that deregulation caused prices to go up? Go look at natural gas commodity prices for the last 10 years before you make such lamebrain comments. Oh yeah, and Coweta or Walton usually are the cheapest..
By DHD
November 5, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
brad…
Do you think that the PSC of Georgia would allow a ponzi scheme? Do you even know what a ponzi scheme is?
If you want to argue that the rates are not good, that’s fine, but don’t reveal your ignorance by saying that the PSC investigated a company for a year and gave them a license and didn’t know they were a ponzi scheme.
By shaggy
November 5, 2008 6:21 PM | Link to this
Mookie,
So, which cheating middleman do you work for? Anyone with half a brain knows that anytime you “insert” a middleman into a necessary commodity like natural gas, the result is higher consumer prices…by definition there will be a middleman mark-up (never a mark-down). The corrupt good old boy network just wanted to create a business where none was needed, on the consumer’s dime. The consumer was just dumb enough to let it happen. Please, tell me what, besides charging “business costs”, does a marketing cheating middleman “provide”?
0I’m waiting…………………..
By atlmom
November 5, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Gas prices were increasing just as deregulation hit Georgia. The increase in rates has nothing to do with deregulation, but with the increase in the price of gas. People don’t spend time to look at the whole picture, though.
Also, there are so many taxes on the bill - Atlanta Gas Light doesn’t get much of that bill - no matter what it says. The PSC regulates the bills - so it doesn’t show you the hidden taxes in there. The money doesn’t go to the company, it goes to the govts that have their hands in your pockets. They never met a tax they didn’t like…and they keep adding them. People open their bills - and they think it’s the companies (either AGL or the marketer ) and the politicians get away with fleecing you yet again…
By Chuck
November 6, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
A bit of history. When the great deregulation of Nat Gas went down under the gold dome a deal was struck. Atlanta Gas Light had $500 Million dollars of uncollected bills. The State of Ga allowed that to be carried forward to the new rate structure of Ga Nat Gas and other gas marketers. If you do not use your gas at all you pay $30. Thank the folks we elected for that. These figures are in the ballpark. Deregulation is not a good thing for Natural Gas or Electricity. For you reading pleasure. Thanks.