Capitol Ideas

By Angela

January 12, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

I think the government should regulate gas pricing especially in this era when the cost of living is on a constant rise with there being no increase in salaries.

By Aleasia

January 12, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

i live alone in a 4 room apt. my gas bill usually $30 - $80 in winter. Last month $225. I have called, complained and they’re suppose to re read the meter. I’m not there during the day and its set on 58. I’m hot natured so when i go to bed its on 58. The govt shouldn’t allow companies to robb us.

By Charles Farley

January 12, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

Cutting the tax on methane (natural gas) is obviously not worth the effort nd will only cause the state to have to make up the shortfall somewhere. Of all the places where the state has its hands in the till, natural gas is one of the very minor ones. There is a finite supply of methane in the gound, in the US most of it is in Appalacia. Even if we had wells over every square mile we wouldn’t reap enough to meet the demand in America. Part of the reason is that power companies have a LOT of methane-powered gas turbines configured as “Peaker” plants for when we Americans forget to turn the AC off during the day.

Gas is in short supply folks, so it costs more and it is not likely to ever come down. Just like oil we only get to use it once. Now is a good time to retrofit to electricity for most of your heating needs. Still, who can cook without gas?

On the tragic side, stores are selling CHEAP, poorly designed electric space heaters so fast the shelves are empty in spots. By law they all have over-temp shutoff, but most don’t shut down when they get turned over (by the dog, children, old fart’s cane etc). We’re going to see a LOT of fires in Georgia this year.

Chas

By rick

January 12, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this

Thank our Ga. legislators for the decision to break Atlanta Gas/Light’s monopoly on gas for your bills.Not one person I’ve talked with has a lower bill since this legislation went into effect.It will not have any effect due to the cost of buying out the many companies now engaged as gas suppliers,but complaining to your legislators might prevent your electrical bill suffering the same fate.

By Lenda

January 12, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

Mr. Farley has lots of info about the gas situation…maybe he was sent here by AGL lol.

I just received my gas bill and it was $433.86. I kept my setting at 65, it seems to not make a difference.

I don’t know if I got an actual or estimated reading. I do know that I will not have $433 by January 17. I don’t understand what is going on with this situation. Mr. Farley, can you tell me how to better conserve…when its not even cold!

By Andrew

January 12, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

My gas bill has been high since deregulation. I wish that I was the middleman between the NG provider and the consumer which is all deregulation setup. Maybe I should give more during contribution time.

The gas tax reduction proposed by perdue is eye-wash. How stupid can you be to think that a couple dollars savings is actually going to help anyone. I actually approximated it at quite a bit lower as well. The eye-wash sure does look good on TV and the media eats it up. What a headline “Governor Reduces Natural Gas Bills.” The real headline would be “Governor Pulls Wool Over Consumers Eyes.”

American politics at its best.

By Mike

January 12, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

I can’t beleive you all didn’t lock into a fixed rate when the news was all over about the increase in natural gas. You think the news just reports these types increases just for practice? You kow very well by now prices are not going to fall, take advanatge of fixed rates. Get a clue.

By Not enough blankets

January 12, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

It makes no sense for the gas bills to be as high as they are. I have an electric stove, use electric heaters and blankets and keep my thermostate on 68 degrees. I still have a $300 bill. This is crazy!!! I think the companies are robbing us and the government just doesn’t care. $2 for every $100, like that makes a difference!!!!!

By Jennifer

January 12, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

HERE HERE Mike!!!! I locked into a fixed rate in Novemeber and at that time it was already up to 1.49 a therm. Shell sent me a $50 check to switch from my previous gas provider so of course I did….I have a two story 18ft ceiling 3 bed 2 1/2 bed home and my gas bill for Nov 5th thru Dec 4th was only $33 and change. Sorry folks!!!! My mom and I back in October(when everyone just wanted to look at them and not buy them) bought 3 space heaters a piece for our homes. I have one downstairs and in my son and my bedrooms. I turn the heat on only to take the inital chill out of the house, then turn it off. It’s off at night b/c my son and I are both hot natured and like to sleep cold. I turn it on in the morning and right when we get home after work. THAT’S IT! Space heaters, blankets and sweats folks!!!!!

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this

God My Gas Bill was $423 and i hardly ever turned the Heat on— Gas companies are ripping us off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VOTE HILIARY 2008

By KC

January 12, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Get a clue about fixed rates? We moved into a new house in September and had to change Natural Gas providers. Because we didn’t have several months history with the company they would not negotiate a fixed rate. Now they will…at the current sky high per therm prices. Why don’t you, sir, provide constructive input rather than telling individuals who live in situations you can’t possibly know to “get a clue”. As for deregulation and Gov. Perdue’s idea about cutting the gas tax…anyone remember who actually proposed deregulating the Georgia Natural Gas business? Oh…I believe it was Rep. Sonny Perdue. If the natural gas biz was still regulated they would have been forced to receive regulatory approval for rate hikes. Now, your gas bill would have gone up. Supply/Demand knows no mercy. However the increase would almost certainly have been more gradual and the rates made clearly public. Still, the harsh reality is that right now, at this time, if you use natural gas (as I do) then you are in a bad way.

By Chantel

January 12, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this

I think that the price of gas is ridiculous. I live in a 5 room and my gas bill used to range anywhere from $30 - $70 during the winter. My gas bill jumped from $50 to $120 in a month and I used more gas during the month that I was charged $50. I used my fireplace more to save gas last month so what are they doing - charging you more if you use less gas?? What do they think it’s doing to consumers, like myself, that are on budgets?? And how is $2 going to help a $120 gas bill??

By tamara

January 12, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Total electric with gas ignitors on fireplaces and gas stove. Electri bill averages $200 a month for 5300 sq. ft. house and gas averages $150 every 1 1/2 years. Only way to go.

By Mike

January 12, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

KC, your ignorance and failure to act…is not my problem. My fixed rate is .89 a therm. Now, who has a clue and who does not.

By Eric

January 12, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this

Gas prices are high because of the cost of gas, not deregulation. True AGL has a lock on the GA legislature and deregulation king, Gov. Sonny Perdue. However, if deregulation never occured, the cost would have still gone up.

Of course, don’t look to the PSC to do anything about the cost of natural gas.
AGL has bought and paid for most of those guys. AGL just buys politician who will screw us and make sure the company profits are sky high!

By BUSHWACKER

January 12, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Here we go again,gas prices are up although there should not be a shortage of gas with the mild winter so far. Yet my first gas bill was double the month before even though I’ve probably only had the gas heat on a handful of times so far. I’ve been using a small electric heater in my efficiency apt instead of gas heat. So why the huge increase?? now they say they have to pay storage fee’s becuase their is too much gas. They raise the price when there is not enough gas,they raise it when there is too much gas. This is bullcrap,yet the slimy politicians don’t think we getting screwed!!! All I can say is INVEST IN OIL COMPANIES,because no matter what the situation they have found out they can raise the price for no reason and guarantee themselves record profits every year!!!

By CD

January 12, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this

Mike - Get a reading class. If you were as adept at reading as you are at self-righteousness you would have seen that KC COULD NOT lock in because he moved.

Make sure you stretch before patting yourself on the back. We wouldn’t want you to tear/pull anything…

Of course you’d probably then just tell people how stupid they are for not using IcyHot to stay warm.

By Chief

January 12, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

Hands up everyone who still thinks Sonny’s gas deregulation bill was a good idea.

By Cecil

January 12, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

My 2200 sf well insulated home in Georgia was vacant in December with temp setting on 55 degrees. The invoice for nat gas was $232. I lived in my 2600 sf Charlotte, NC home in December with heat set on 70 degrees,using lots of hot water (4 large parties), and gas logs,etc.and my Piedmont Nat. Gas invoice was only $125. That is a $107 difference. Ripped in Georgia !!

By Mike

January 12, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

CD, it was also meant for the others who keep crying politics. If you see on the news that prices could increase, then you know thye are. Stop whinning if you failed to act. And what in the name of God will Hillary Clinton do for this? This BLOG proves, democrats are just stupid. You sit on your butts all day thinking someone is going to bail you out. Grow up you crybabies. And CD, mind your own business you jerk.

By CD

January 12, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

I locked in lower than you Mike. So I guess that makes me smarter, huh? And in case you failed your tech class, BLOGS are PUBLIC. It’s not like tapped into your private cell phone conversation. That’s why we have a president. Pardon me for being one of the hundreds of Atlantans who realize that you like to talk (write) more than listen (read.)

By Merle Mischer

January 12, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

GAS Bill

By KC

January 12, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

Democrats are just stupid and sit on our butts all day? Wow, Mike. You’re right. I couldn’t see it before, but now I realize that all of those Democrats in this state with “jobs” are really just showing up at Republican’s offices and pulling up a chair to watch “smart” people work. Maybe, just maybe, if we Democrats observe long enough we might be able to learn how to tie our own shoes, feed ourselves without a government pamphlet and maybe even hold a job and get off welfare. I pray we can find inspiration in your example.

By Roger L

January 12, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

I am 62 and have been a Republican my whole life, but can easily see what an IDIOT Mike is. Mike does not speak for all of us.

By KIM

January 12, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

I live in a 608 sqaure foot apt, and the only thing that runs on gas is my heat and hot water. This summer, I had a gas bill that was just under $80… at that point, I decided I wasnt turning on my heat this winter. And I haven’t. I just bundle up with flannel sheets, pajama pants and a tshirt. My gas bill this month was $49 :)

By Vickie

January 12, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

My gas bill was $278 for December, with the thermostat kept on 60 degrees. The only thing I have that’s gas is my heat and hot water, and I was gone for two weeks out of the month with the heat turned off! So now, I have to skip out on some groceries because I didn’t want to freeze to death on a cold night.

The bigger problem is that the state government is allowing energy companies to charge such high rates. I don’t think most people realize that Georgia Power is allowed by the state of Georgia to charge twice as much for electricity in the summer months - when we need it most, and when the lower and middle classes are least likely to be able to afford it.

By TinaTeach

January 12, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

The problem is not just residing on a local level, some of you may or may not know that the US government gives money to american gas companies in order to keep costs down. Well guess what? That money just ran out early in December. Therefore the gas companies will be passing the unsavings on to us.

My advice folks, set your thermostat somewhere between 60 and 65 and leave it there! Constantly moving the stat can actually cost your more money. Keep a light sweater with you in the house and put it on when you feel cold, put throws over the backs of your couches to use when you sit there watching TV. Do yoga or pilates tapes inside to warm your body up. Anyone of these ideas can help. My family lives in a 4b/2ba house and our bill was just under 170 this month, yes more expensive then usual but much less expensive than our neighbors who have a cookie-cutter house next to us.

By Milton

January 12, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

Clark Howard said the price of natural gas should decrease, so hopefully we will see the decrease this month or next. Then again, we might see the increase in the summer. Switch to Walton EMC; they have the lowest prices.

By Mike

January 12, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

A Republican all your life Roger L, even at birth? Think before you type, you idiot.

By Why_Hurt

January 12, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this

I believe the meter readers were out shopping last month or enjoying the holidays because my gas comsumption doubled over the previous month and quadrupled over this time last year. I really do not believe they read the meters. It seems someone thought we would just accept the higher cost and not complain. $508 is a lot to complain about when the setting stays at 69. Like a lot of people I will not have $508 by the due date.

By Jim

January 12, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this

We locked into our current rate as soon as heard all the chatter about higher prices but the locked rate is still 50% higher than this time last year. In reality, except for the first two weeks in December, this winter has not been that bad. Now I need someone to tell me why my electric bill increased by 40% this month, my home is not even all electric. They get you one way or another.

By Steve

January 12, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this

Everyone needs to realize that as long as REPUBLICANS control government, big business is going to reap the reward at the expense of the common person. Smaller government really means there is no protection against being taken advantage of by the wealthy and powerful. FDR did some good things and the “conservatives” are taking it all apart.

By Burned_By_Gas

January 12, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Our gas bill went up 350% from November to December. I called to question this and was told that I could request a meter re-read from AGL, but they were not opbligated to do it, and I would have to call back in 7 to 10 days to find out if they authorized the re-read. What a load of garbage. I was also told that”everyone had seen a similar increase” for the billing period. But here is something I leanred that may be useful - if you request a re-read, at least with Shell Energy, they can not consider your bill past-due until after the request has either been carried out or rejected.

I did take steps to conserve - we lowered our water heater temp and lowered our thermostats slightly - this has cut our average daily usage by about 50%.

All the same - gas has been a rip-off in Georgia ever since de-regulation.

By Natural Man

January 12, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

I should have locked into a rate plan. Sure I would miss the $10-15 monthly bills in the summertime for my 2200 sqft home but at least I’ll be able to spend less after Santa leaves. My biggest beef is with the power companies.

By gassed gal

January 12, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

Sonny can keep his taxes just regulate the gas companies. I keep my themostate at 62 and my bill was 255.00

By MARTIN

January 12, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

I agree with Steve, Angela, Vickie, Tamika, Chantel, Bushwacker, and Rick. Deregulating the gas companies was suppose to lower prices by creating competition and removing monopolies. I have not heard one person say that they have any savings since this has been done, long before the increase in gas prices. It has created a lot more chaos and distrust. Why are the gas prices so high now anyway? The pipes in the gulf coast have been repaired since hurricane Katrina. The oil companies have also reported record breaking profits that beats out every other industry in the same time frame. How much longer will the rich make money off of the working class and justify it? Just as Angela stated so perfectly, the cost of living is on a constant and consistent rise with the salaries and incomes not following them.

Some of us don’t choose the fixed rates because we like our low bills in the summer. This doesn’t mean we should be ripped off in the winter! And thank you Tina Teach for the tips!

And Mike, if you think democrats are so stoupid, how do you explain Bush?! What a great role model. Let’s try to keep some kind of intelligence when in public and not reduce ourselves to childish levels by name calling.

By MissHeavenSong

January 12, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this

My first house, my first gas bill knocked me off my feet…it $425.00 but customer service said “when you leave the house turn your heat down to 55, upon returning turn it back up to 68….h3ll up or down it’s still going to be high! hurry up summertime

By Jim

January 12, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

When I called about my higher than usual electric bill, the woman for the power company had the nerve to ask me if we left our refrigirator running all the time. That question was all I needed to know what a waste of time the call was. I paid the bill. Also, I really don’t think who sits in the big chair, republican or democrat, my wallet gets thinner by the day. Wish I could say the same for my wife! Man, I am glad she does not read BLOGS.

By Tammie Inman

January 12, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

Ever since deregulation, my gas bills have been incredible. I am in a new house and now have all electric with the exception of a gas stove. I have a budget bill of $80 a month, but I use $5 in gas. The big cost seems to be associated with miscellaneous charges, including $50 in pass through charges. I never went though this when it was just Atlanta Gas Light. It’s ridiculous.

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

WE ALL NEED TO STAND UP TO AGL AND BOYCOTT THEM

Tired of pay so much of my Paycheck to other people so they can get rich.

I say FU AGL and SCANNA!!!

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

ALL This Speculation by the egergy Sector is making them RICH I SAY KICK ALL INCOMBENTS OUT OF POWER

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this

I am not a fan of Hiliary Clinton — But I am voting her in for a serious shake up for this country!!

Hillary 2008

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

CORPORATE GREED MUST END!!!!!

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

BRING BACK GAS REGULATION

HILLARY 2008

By Judy

January 12, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

After Katrina they predicted HIGH gas prices due to the damage of the refineries. Gasoline prices shot up quickly but we understood because of what had happened.

Imagine my suprise and disgust when I read that the gas companies had made record profits that quarter. We bought their story hook, line, and sinker - paid the higher prices which just lined their pockets. This is wrong.

By Heatme

January 12, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

I suggest going to energyright.com and running a comparison of gas vs. electric. (the max rate on electric per/kwh is ~7.5 cents, usually 1/2 that in winter) Everyone has been led to believe gas is a better deal and is more efficient - this was true 10 years ago but not today with advanced equipment. Suggestions - install a tankless water heater(unlimited hot water), available at Home Depot or Lowes, Again I recommend electric as opossed to gas. (You will find most local stores are currently sold out, but units are available in south Georgia and TN stores) (~$1200 w/ install) GA power offers a rebate if you make the change.

Install an electric heatpump or piggyback system. GA power is offering sizable cash rebates to make the change from gas to electric. You may end up spending $2-5K if you do this, but you will end up saving money long term. (I know this is advanced thinking for Atlantans used to extreme excess in everything they do and living paycheck to paycheck.)

Check for leaks in duct work, have ducts cleaned and then sealed. Change filters once per month. ($150-$500)

Forget about wood heating, it is much much more costly to heat with wood.

I’ve done both. 4000 sq ft 3 level home electricity bill for December - $148.00. I also have no gas bill to wory about.

By Jeff

January 12, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

Yes, gas prices are outrageous, but I’m laughing my a** off at people that think Hillary Clinton in 2008 will change their gas bill here in Georgia! Hillary is part of the typical government power establishment, just like so many other current Washington politicians… she doesn’t give a crap about my, yours or anyone else’s gas bill! The problem is the companies folks… more consumer pressure, LESS USAGE and more choices will force prices down… that’s what free market is all about. So quit whining, go to an electric heat pump, and dump your gas. When tens of thousands of people do that and the gas companies lose business, prices will come down! I’m surprised that I have to tell you this, actually… it’s pretty obvious.

By Katrina

January 12, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

I received the gas bill being over $400.00. I am disgusted that legislatures have not done anything at this point. With the $2.-$4. break no way is that enough to help—it is disgusting!!!!!!!

By Freezing and Broke

January 12, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

I agree; a $2 reduction in tax per gas bill is like removing an ounce of water from a flood. It makes such little difference- and as someone pointed out we’ll have to make up for it elsewhere- that the tax reduction is a horrible solution. I too am tired of paying for the middleman. I was happy with AGL when it was just them. It’s all bogus charges and fees- has anyone looked at their Bellsouth or cable bill lately? Cell phones too- all bogus fees, charges, random taxes… If the legislature wants to help out my wallet, it’s THOSE things you need to be reducing, not the revenue of the STATE that we’ll have to make up for elsewhere. And I feel you- I used 1/3rd of the gas as this time last year in my small 2BR home. I keep my house at 50 degrees because of the news reports from earlier this winter, use a space heater and an electric blanket in my bedroom. my bill STILL went up $98 to $187!!! I can’t imagine what the older people are doing in my neighborhood on a fixed income.

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

Jeff Sweatie pie I dont have the money to go guy an electric heat pump— Will you foot the bill for me punpkin pie.

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

What the HELL is the $50 AGL pass through fee any way??

Hillary Will end all this crap in 2008

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

I think we need to get Methane Gas from all the republicans a sses for free!!

By dale

January 12, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

I had a fixed rate of .89 a therm until this past November. By the time it was up for renewal they wanted 1.79 per therm. Why would I lock in a rate that is so high for a whole year. I chose to budget bill which takes the last 12 months average and gives me a $46 a month gas bill. I live in a small house, about 1000 sq.ft. and keep my thermostat on 64. I have gas heat , gas stove, and gas water heater. Now I realize I will have to make up the difference at the end of my yearly billing cycle but I refuse to lock in at such a high rate. Everyone keeps saying it will go even higher and you had better lock in but I disagree. The price will come back down in the Summer, hopefully, and I can lock in at a more reasonable rate then. That is my take on the situation.

By GK

January 12, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

I called my gas company, SCANA, a couple of months ago inquiring about getting on a fixed rate before the GAS INCREASE for the winter and was I shocked at what they told me.. In looking at my prior 12 months of usage, the average came to approximately $95 but they told me due to the “projected” gas rates for the winter, my fixed rate would be $247 a month!! Needless to say, I decided against the fixed rate. Now, tell me how could that be???

By Tamika

January 12, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

I am coming up with my own Gas contraption. I am going to have my kids poop in a sealed bin and pump the gas from the decay into my furnace for heat. I think this will work. I just have to figure out how.

By Brennan

January 12, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Gas prices in Georgia and the billing problems that several providers had since day one of deregulation clearly show why deregulated public utilities are a bad thing.

The crazy thing is that after I up and left the state, you folks elected the legislative poster child for deregulated gas Governor. Sheesh.

By Lauren

January 12, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

I bought a new state-of-the-art multi-speed 14 Seer furnace last February becauses the gas prices had been so high with my old furnace. My high had been $370 and as a single mom, I was fed up with our “deregulated” gas prices. My bill last month? $424! I’m FED UP.

Governor Purdue? Georgia’s gas prices are out of control. Forget the tax rebate. Get rid of the “Deregulation” — it doesn’t work for anyone but the gas companies!

By Linn

January 12, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Welcome to the United Social States of America. Does it remind you of Soviet Russia?

We the People can dump rebellious politicians, but what to do about the rest of those who hike prices in industry so that we can’t afford basic survival needs.

By DB

January 12, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

Just 2 people in my home, 1800 sq. feet, $375 gas bill in Nov.-Dec. 2 solutions 1) Let’s develop the technology for other energy sources for heat. 2) The supposed competition between gas companies has done nothing and our faith in unrestrained corporate capitalism is ridiculous

By RWH

January 12, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

Our companies who operate our natural gas resources must realize that a few cold days here in Georgia do not warrant them to raise gas therms. It make things bad for all of us who have gas. It is indeed ashame to make consumer pay for something that we have so much of….and why raise prices; people will pay and if not, they know that they can be shut-off. It make no sense for america…putting your own people in situations that make them suffer!

By Shirley

January 12, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

I just wanted to let you guys to know that you have made my afternoon with your comments.

My bill was 190.00, 79.00 was misc charges. There should be a law about THAT.

By Bubba

January 12, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

Most of the comments on this board show the true ignorance of the population. Before complaining about natural gas bills please educate yourselves. For those of you that care, here are the facts:

1) Less than 25% of natural gas consumed in this country is used in homes. The biggest users are electric utilities and industrial consumers such as manufacturers. 90% of new electricity generating capacity is fueled by natural gas. This is because Natural Gas is a relatively clean fuel source and environmentalists have forced this situation. If government policy favored other energy sources such as coal or nuclear power consumers would see lower home heating bills.

2) Domestic production has been basically flat for decades and imports have been used to fill the gap.

3) Politicians and activists continuously block both domestic development and new facilities to import natural gas. This is done by politicians of both parties (i.e. Barnie Frank D-MA & Jeb Bush R-FL, the former has been instrumental in blocking a LNG recieving facility and the later has worked to prevent additional offshore drilling)

4) There is enough natural gas to completely meet the needs of the U.S. (including future growth in demand) for at least 60 years without any imports, however, the politicians (of both parties) would rather pander to special interests.

For those of you that think that the companies are gouging, please explain why they want to increase domestic exploration (thereby increasing supply without effecting demand resulting in lower prices). Here is a hint, it isn’t the utilities that are preventing additional exploration. Also please look at the spot price of natural gas. Georgia’s gas marketers are pricing their product in line with the overall market price. If you disagree, please post an analysis to prove me wrong.

We have a choice, we can have less exploration and higher costs or we can have more exploration and lower costs. Unfortunately we are currently making the wrong decision.

By Sara

January 12, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Be leary when someone name Bubba starts off telling you how stupid you are.

By Jackie

January 12, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

I locked into a fixed rate of 1.46 per therm with Shell energy. My previous rate was .89 per therm. Shell provides a consumption history for a rolling 12 month period and it shows I have more than doubled my natural gas use for both November and December. That’s bull!!! It’s been milder this year than last year. My December bill was $230. My November bill was $213. I called and requested a re-read on my meter, but the request was denied. The gas companies are ripping us off. My thermostat stays on 68 degrees during the day and 65 degrees at night.

By Jodi

January 12, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

My thermostat has been set on 62 degrees for the past month and my bill was STILL $212 ! This month, the thermostat is set on OFF (haha!) - let’s just see how the gas company likes those profits!

By rochelle

January 13, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this

I was told by my gas co. to set my termostat at 68. So that what I did my bill went from $78 to $216 in one mth. What good is it to set it at 68 if your bill is still going to be that high. When I called back in to ask why I was told my per therm rate went up and if i lock it it would be higher. I was also told to turn it down if I am gone all day and then right befor i go to bed turn it up slowly untill I get back to 68. I did this but stop at 65 my bill this time was $565.

By Gina

January 13, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this

Please bring back regulation In no way can you convince me that the need for raising natural gas was caused by the hurricanes when they were telling everyone that they had repaired the breach after 3 days…Do we look stupid?

By MrsJ

January 13, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this

I just got my GNG bill and was MORTIFIED!!! Its getting higher month to month. Whats truly ironic about it is My husband and I travel for busines 2 weeks per month!! We are not home to use the Damn GAS and its skyrocketing!!! Something has got to give! What are these knuckleheads thinking??? So much for your government at work!!

By Kim

January 13, 2006 08:37 AM | Link to this

I haven’t seen price per therm below 1.40 for a long time. No way I’m locking in a rate at anything above 1.20 per therm. Last months gas bill 189.00, this month jumped to 373.00 (paying 1.74 per therm)

By Flynn Geijer

January 13, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this

Smells something like Enron to me.

By Edna

January 13, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this

I had a bill of $115 last month and just got a bill for December that is $205. How can a gas bill double in one month? I keep the thermostat set at 62 degrees at night and while I am at work and about 65 during the time I am at home. I think there is some profit taking going on and that the gas companies have taken advantage of the gas scare following the hurricanes to pump up their pricing. It was widely reported after the hurricane that there was not natural gas shortage so why do we have all these increases. I think there should be investigations launched in the same way that automobile gas stations are put on a list and investigated when they boosted their prices artificially high.

By Julia

January 13, 2006 08:50 AM | Link to this

It’s a shame and a conspiracy that natural gas and gas stations are all going up when everything else is going down (mainly pay), for most people. I think that it’s a shame that unless you’re under or at a certain amount of income you cannot qualify for low income rates with the natural gas companies. You can make what seems to some like a lot of money but, when it comes to determining low income rates, they need to take into consideration what you’re paying out of that money you make. I notice here in Georgia that everytime you apply for help you’re judge by the amount of money you make and not by what you’re left with after you’ve paid your living expenses. Unless Florida changed since I left in 1988, when you go apply for certain types of assistance, they take what you make and substact(from proof)what your living expenses are and then determine whether or not you need help and how much. People can barely get assistance here in Georgia from anything!!!

By Eloise Wood

January 13, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

I live alone and keep the thermostat on 65 degrees. My previous bill was $69.48 My current bill is $281.14 I certainly don’t feel any warmer than when I paid $69.48! When I called to ask about the difference-they were less than helpful-I suppose she had gotten too many calls that day. I certainly hope something can be done about these out of control costs. Thanks

By Genora

January 13, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

My gas bill is ridiculous. It went from $158.00 in December to $248.00 for January’s bill. Just like a few of you that have expressed your disgust, I too am disgusted with the entire high bill especially the so-called “read through meter” by ALG. That is a $50.00 charge by itself for a person to sit in a vehicle and just estimate how much gas you have consumed. When I called AGL and told them that no-one was reading my meter, the customer service agent replied by saying, “it is perfectly alright for the meter person to read from their vehicle”. They look at how much you average during the month and come up with an estimated due cost. This should not be acceptable, especially when they are charging $50.00 just to type in another higher figure and get away with it. If anyone out there should have any information on a gas provider other than Scanna Energy, please share with name and contact information. I read in one of the comments that Walton EMC has better rates. If anyone should have a phone number or email address, please post to this site. Thanks

By my harris

January 13, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

The government should step in immediately to regulate the Gas Companies. My bill went from 126.00 last monthe to 510.00 this month and this month wasn’t a cold month. This is outrageous! I also notice the gas for automobiles creeping up. THIS MADDNESS needs to STOP!!

By St. John

January 13, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this

Love the blogs - thanks for the humor.

Mike: Some people were on contracts which expired AFTER the price per therm increased and had no choice but to go with a higher rate; it’s not like your rate is locked in for eternity.

Bubba: You should have changed your name to send a blog b/c all we see is BUBBA - nuff said!!

I, too, switched to Walton EMC b/c yes, they do have the lowest price per therm rate out there; however, it’s still high, soooooo - I did what Jodi did, I turned if off altogether.

That’s right, thick sweats, lots of blankets, warm feet - bundle up people, pretend like you’re outside. Go to the thrift store, buy white or light colored thick blankets and put them over your blinds, go to walmart, buy clear plastic, cover your windows, stuff old sheets or blankets (bought from the thrift store) and put them in door jams, where the cold air seeps in, buy rope caulk and seal out the drafts coming in thru those windows. At night, when I know that I’m in for the night, I put a sheet over my front door where I feel air coming thru, you’d be surprised at how much warmer my downstairs is now that I’ve done that. I now cook on my electric skillet, in my crock pot and in my microwave. I wash all loads of clothes in cold water, and only use hot water for showers. The 60 and 65 degree thermostat settings are no longer the smart way to go. Do you think the gas companies are going to tell you how to REALLY lower your gas bills?

By nomoney

January 13, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

I’ve read many comments on this blog about gas prices in the Atlanta area. Consider yourself lucky to have a chance to switch providers or lock in a rate. I live in a rural community. Natural gas is provided through the city. We don’t have the option of choosing another provider. The price per therm was $23.92 per therm for the first therm and $17.92 per therm for all other therms. I used 8 therms during 39 day billing period between November and December. My thermostat was set on 60 when I allowed the heat to be on. My bill was around $240.00 My electric bill was down. HUM???? I think many of you should consider yourself lucky.

By Patricia Ray

January 13, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this

I agree, it is ridiculous what we’re having to pay for natural gas. However, I’ve lived in Atlanta since 1977, and even back THEN, I thought natural gas was too much! We made a decision to completely turn OFF our furnace this Winter. After all, it wasn’t really “heat” we were getting, by the time it reached the registers! Instead, we keep our gas oven on very low and the door of the oven open. As a result, the house is MUCH warmer than if the furnace was on AND, the best part, the gas bill this year was LOWER than last year! Go figure!

By Lilburn Parent

January 13, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

@Jennifer… I will be curious as to what you gas bill will be going forth. $30. is extremely low. Almost sounds like a mistake.

Suggestion to those with high gas bills. Weatherproof your homes or apartments.

If you are running your thermostat at 65 or whatever… and have some leaks in your insulation, or cracks around windows and doors, the furnace will run hard trying to maintain the temperature you set.

It seems that I have to weatherproof annually. New cracks/leaks appear each year. My bill was not outrageous for December ($157), for a 5 bedroom 2.5 bath.

I set the temp at 65, and 72 a couple of hours in the evenings and early mornings. I use the oil-filled space heaters as needed. We dress in sweats, or at least wear sweaters or robes. My children and I have medical conditions that tend to make us feel cold easier than most others.

I went to the area of Lowes / Home Depot where they sell the weatherproofing and bought (switch plate insulation, door insulation) and some caulk along with a caulk gun. I did the things I remembered from a Clark Howard clip on television, about insulating your home. I think it worked.

when I took the switch plate covers off to add the insulation… there was a lot of cold air coming from the opening. I couldn’t believe it.

I walked in front of the doors, and felt for drafts. I used some stuff that I had to screw in around the opening. After years of getting the wrong sticky stuff to put on around the door, and that came off within a day or two… I finally found something that worked.

I felt the areas around the window frames and some cracks had lots of air coming thru. I put some caulk there and it stopped the draft.

I was prepared to go buy the plastic stuff to totally surround the windows if necessary.

I hope this helps.

By James

January 13, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Why is everyone griping about how their bill doubled from last month? Don’t you realize how bad of a comparison that is? If you really want to compare, look at the same time period from last year. While my bill did jump from $77 last month to $179 this month, it was only a difference of $10 over the same time frame last year. Get a grip people!

Therm rates have gone up almost a dollar per therm over this time last year, therefore your monthly bills should be higher than same time last year, all other things being equal.

The only ways to control your bill are either locking in a per therm rate or going to budget billing, where they bill you an average of the last 12 months bills.

Changing the temp on your thermostat can help… but a 3 degree difference won’t be noticable. What you really should look at is the amount of insulation in your home. Increase it. Seal any holes that allow drafts in. Open the blinds to allow the sun in during the day to warm your home naturally.

Use your brain, some of you are more qualified at this than others.. but stop griping about how deregulation and politicians are your to bankrupt you. Get rid of the McMansion and move into a sesibile home. You don’t need a 5000 sq ft house!

By Patricia Ray

January 13, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

Hi, It’s me again. My advice to everyone: Don’t buy in to all this crap about energy-efficient furnaces and programable thermostats! Turn off the furnace completely and use LOCAL heat, i.e. the oven turned to a very low temperature with the door open. Of course, our house is only 970 square feet, but our gas bill in November was $97 and this month it was only $10 more than that! This month we only used 35 therms of gas at a price of $1.67 a therm. I found this out from my neighbour who has a floor furnace and has ALWAYS paid less on her gas bill than someone with central heat. Think about it. Central heat is just that: it’s gotta TRAVEL along the ducts to get into your house, right? Well, by the time it gets there, it ain’t all that hot, right? So, if everyone protested and turned off their furnaces, their gas bills would be lower.

By Cheryl

January 13, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this

I am a single mother trying to survive these gas prices. My gas bill for 1 month is $690.00. RIDICULOUS!!!!. This is a luxury car note and needless to say I do not have a luxury car. Can someone help me??? I keep my heat between 65 and 70.

HELP!!!!!!

By LaTonya

January 13, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

My gas bill went from $92.20 to $249 (for November - December) and we only turned the gas on for 8 days total. Granted it was on 70 degrees but we are talking 8 days. The only thing I fear now is what the December - January bill will look like since we did have a few 23 degree days. We are complaining now but wait until we see the next bill. I, too, bought my home in October and could not lock in to the lower therm rates. Luckily for me my electric bill was only $48.

I do not believe that regulation is going to happen any time soon, therefore, I would love to learn more about converting from gas to a total electric home.

I cannot wait until October so that I can sell my home and move everyone into a log cabin. But I am sure that AGL will still find a way to get me even then.

I am willing to sign a petition to fight for returning back to regulation. Possible? Any takers?

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

I keep my thermostat on 59 and we just bundle up, but my gas bill was still pretty high last month. I reviewed the misc charges and my pass through charge went from $18 to $30 from Nov to Dec (this is with SCANA). While I am not happy with the rate hike I really don’t understand the increase in a misc charge or how the customer service fee is used.

By nunya

January 13, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this

There sure is a lot of b*** going on. The higher cost of gas this season is because of several reasons.

First, Katrina messed up LA and that was one of the few ports that LNG can be brought into this country. Nobody wants a LNG facility in their area so when something disrupts one of the few there are, it causes widespread trouble.

Second, for decades the US has gobbled up the majority of the worlds energy resources. Wake up folks, we have competition now. China and other countries are going to take an ever larger piece of the energy pie. Get used to it. Costs are never going to go back to the way it was.

I too was locked into .89/therm until October. I’m not going to renew the lock at $1.679/therm. I’ll bear it until mid summer (when rates should be lowest) and then do it on a better cycle period. This coming months (floating rate) bill with Scana will be at $1.43/therm. So the spike will be 20% corrected already.

Insulate your homes. Some lady was on TV last night whining about her $800 gas bill but not one word about what she was doing about making her house more efficient. Also, it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that the bigger your house, the more you are going to pay. Do you NEED all that house?

Tamika, you sound like one of the gimmie people. Hillary isn’t going to magically make the cost of gas on the world market suddenly drop. The most the Hildebeast will do is take money from the people who earned it and give it to the gimmie people who stand around with their hands out all the time.

Last, learn about all the crap that makes up your gas bill. The person who wrote that they don’t know what a AGL Pass Through fee was probably also doesn’t know what the DDDC charge is. Ignorance may be bliss but it does not help to understanding why certain things are happening.

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this

Cheryl-If you use gas you will probably want to turn down the heat and bundle up. I know it’s awful, but with the gas prices where they are you can’t keep it between 65 and 70. Just keep it warm enough so you don’t freeze and the pipes in your house won’t freeze. I just bought my house this summer and I couldn’t lock in either. Since I don’t plan to spend the rest of my life in this house it is not worth it to me to convert to electric.

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Nope, I don’t know what a DDDC charge is and I still don’t understand the Pass Through Fee and why it increased and that is why I asked. Instead of calling me ignorant why don’t you just educate me on what these things are.

By nunya

January 13, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

To Carrie (and anyone else) who does not know what the components of your bill are, CALL YOUR GAS COMPANY AND ASK THEM !!! Duhhhhh. The DDDC and Pass Through fees are printed on your bill every month. It isn’t my job to educate you. That is why you pay the gas companies a Customer Service Charge.

By Poor As a Church Mouse

January 13, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

Like everyone else in here, I have tried everything in the book to lower my gas bill, and it was still $300.00. I’ve been unemployed since mid-December, and have no way to pay my mortgage, let alone this bill. So, come February 1st, I’ll be giving my house back to the bank and having my gas turned off. Let them rip off someone else. Bye, bye, AGL!

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

Right, but you are so brilliant and you are already here so wouldn’t be just as easy to type what they are instead of telling me to call the company. If I wanted to sit on hold for 20 minutes I would call them, but I don’t want to so I don’t. I think I did read what they were on the back and it still didn’t make sense for it to increase from month to month. It should be a fixed amount and since you know more than I do why don’t you just explain it to me in small words so I can understand?

By georgia

January 13, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

My unoccupied 1800 sq ft house in Lawrenceville got a $300 dollar gas bill for last month. My Total Electric 3 level 5000 sg ft occupied house (with 3 units) was less than that. I just want to know how you can be charged for gas that wasn’t used?

By NMcMorris

January 13, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

And we are suprised? We are smiled at and labeled stupid, and we are suprised. I saw a Ga. Natural Gas sign on I75N in Marietta that displayed a thermostat indicating a temperture of 64.5 degrees?(down from 68?) When gas prices went up last fall, Georgians were told that there was enough natural gas for the winter months but that prices would go up. Your Gov. said that the state of Georgia would help by cutting by 50% the taxes that the state tacks on to our gas bill. I would bet that the Governor and the gas companies laughed like hell when that concession was made by the by the Govenor.(o.k., my Governor too.) Is that really labeling Georgians “stupid”?(my natural gas bill for the past two months exceeded $700.00 total)

By Jeremy

January 13, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

When we heard about the anticipated increases after the hurricanes my wife and I decided right then and there we would NOT participate in this legalized robbery by energy companies. This winter we have shut the furnace OFF. Sweaters, humidifiers, and electric space heaters are what keep us somewhat comfortable but it is still cold.

While it has been miserable at times we gain some satisfaction that we are doing our part not to enrich these leeches. The only advice I can give is that some of us may have to go a little cold to keep our heating bills in the realm (barely) of being somewhat reasonable. The amazing thing is that you adapt to it. When I go to work 68 degrees seems downright hot now. So when prices drop and trust me they will eventually drop I will still continue this strategy.

The past five years of CONSTANT increases in heating costs have left a permanent impression on me for the need for me to ALWAYS live below my means and ALWAYS conserve.

I am convinced that the energy companies will not stop until:

A: Our elected government officials are compelled (a big focus on the word compelled) by the outrage of the constituency

B: There is a “significant� negative effect on the economy. The can’t get blood from a stone effect.

Personally I believe that the latter will happen first. You cannot tell me that these obscene increases, (which are happening nationwide) can be sustained by both consumer and industry without SERIOUS consequences to our economy. In fact I believe that the process is already in motion. Bundle up and buckle down folks!!

By JW

January 13, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this

I am always amazed reading blogs on how some folks like to lift themselves up and put others down with statements like “get a clue” or calling others whiners, idiots or jerks. This blog allows others to see if they are alone with the high gas bills or if others are shocked like they were. I, as others shared, turned my heat down to 50 during the day and only turned it up to 65 when I got home and then back to 60 at bed time. My bill jumped from $90 to $412. This is not going to break my bank, however, I can not help but be concerned about those that are less fortunate. This was too high for what i had planned with control the thermostat and what I had budgeted to spend. If that was to case for me, what of the others that are on a limited income and strict budgets. The gas bills are too high and we need to do something about it. The gas charges are like everything else in the comsumer’s market, charges set based upon what people will pay.

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

It’s easy for me to say turn it down or off, but I am young and healthy with no children. I do worry about people who are elderly, have infants or are sick because it is not so easy for them. I was very annoyed (actually a little sickened) to see a commercial with an elderly woman bundling up in cold bedroom where you could see her breath and the company asking US to pay extra to cover the bills of the less fortunate. They spent the money to make a commercial to pull on the consumer’s heart strings and guilt us into paying for other’s bills so the company doesn’t lose any money while most of us can’t really afford to pay our own bills.

By Mark

January 13, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

After reading all these posts I guess I am pretty darn lucky.. I live in a pretty new condo and EVERYTHING is electric.. No gas at all and I can keep it 73 degrees even on the coldest days and walk around in shorts inside. My electric bill was on $51, so no gas company is getting to rip me off!

By Tes

January 13, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

I say turn the darn things OFF!!!! Copy and paste some of these comments in an email and start spreading the word. This is utterly ridiculous. Unimaginable. I don’t think, even with the warning, most people expected their bills to soar thru the roof as they did. Again, how do u explain a bill over $200 in a month on 8-days of usage. I am reading these blogs and I’m amazed. I would more than happy to start an email going. We can protest!!!! Fill free to post your email address and I’ll start sending. I’ll include suggestions on how to conserve from a couple of the post. I’m all for the using my oven…and believe it or not..when my dryer is on from doing the laundry..it gets pretty darn warm in my 1300 sq ft apt.

By kraig

January 13, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

I’ll tell you who is to blame for the high gas prices…the n****

By jeremy

January 13, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

The simple fact is that gas prices are too high. In fact they are unjustifiably high using any metric you pick. Our gas bill was $139 for (just cooking and showers). So I can only imagine what it would have been had we actually used the furnace!! I am deeply concerned with those who are retired, widows, elderly, have sick children, or are just plain not as fortunate as the rest of us.

There heating demand to a certain extent is inelastic and it is a necessity (a major argument for natural gas be regulated). Those who are elderly, sick, or have small children really can only be so cold so people MUST use a certain amount of heat. Right now that cost is unaffordable for most families. This winter has been relatively mild and people are still seeing unimaginable increases. I have never seen prices rise so quick for any commodity save gasoline (big surprise right).

I am the last person to jump on a conspiracy bandwagon but I do not believe that Katrina, China, India, and whatever else is used can reasonably be used to justify such a HUGE increase in price. There is clearly manipulation going on and it needs to be exposed and dealt with for the good of the country and our economy. We need look no further than Enron and the energy manipulation in the western US a few years back to show that it can and DOES happen.

No matter if you are a Democrat, Republican, Moderate, Liberal, or a Conservative we all are intelligent enough and have the foresight to see that without a drastic change the recent super spikes across all energy prices will DEVASTATE our economy. I’m sure that is something any reasonable person can agree WILL happen if these prices do not abate.

Many have said that people should be smart enough to insulate their homes, lock in rates, etc. The bottom is that rates aren’t locked forever, prices show no sign of abating, there is only so much you can do to make your home energy efficient.

I think some on this blog have forgotten that they are fortunate enough to be able to afford the improvements necessary to increase there efficiency or just absorb the costs but most are not. But remember we are fortunate to be in that position. Prices have gotten to the point where most cannot. And even those who are coping are only one bad situation (job loss, serious injury) away from being in the position of the people they are so quick to criticize. That is no liberal statement just a fact we all should recognize.

By JW

January 13, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this

Very well stated, Jeremy!

By jes

January 13, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this

For the individuals turning up and down the thermostat by more than a few degrees… Do you realize how hard the furnace has to work to bring your home back up to temperature? I really think this will ultimately cause you a higher than normal monthly bill (especially if you have a large house with high ceilings). Keeping the home at a constant temperature (around 68 degrees) is much easier to maintain and the furnace does not have to run for long periods of time. Also, keeping your garage doors closed will help keep the house warmer. I’m always amazed how many houses have the garage doors open for hours at a time during cold weather. Whatever rooms are above or next to the garages immediately start getting cold - causing the furnace to constantly run.

By RT

January 13, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

i understand the supply / demand issue. i am angry over the agl pass thru charge. all deregulation did was allow companies to set up shop with another company’s resourses and pass on costs plus their profit. phone service is another example of this. deregulation does nothing for the consumer. it only provides a cheap way for a new company to start a business and give the regulatory people a fake sense of providing competition.

By sct

January 13, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

Dear China, would you be kind enough to send us some of your coal, we are very cold.

By Margaret

January 13, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Big deal on the tax cut for natural gas. If the Leg really wants to help Georgia citizens on the gas situation they would reregulate natural gas! Deregulation created a new level of fees and doubled the price of natural gas bills before the price of a therm of natural gas went up. Deregulation only helped the large lobbying industrial consumers—not the average citizen.

By Lilburn Parent

January 13, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

ALL please excuse nunya… you are really not very nice.

This is an explanation of some of the charges… sounds like crap to me!

this is from GNG…

AGLC base charge – This is a regulated charge that Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) bills through each gas marketer. Each month AGLC bills GNG a full base charge for all GNG customers of record as of the 20th of the month. We, in turn, pass through that charge to our customers. Base charges effective on the 20th of the current month cover the following month. For example, base charges effective October 20 cover the month of November. GNG bills a full base charge regardless of the number of days of service. (See details below under “AGLC Base Charge.�)

GNG customer service charge – This charge covers our cost of maintaining and servicing your account. Service charges vary based on your selected price plan. GNG bills a full customer service charge regardless of the number of days of service.

Gas charge – This is the charge for gas you used during the month’s billing cycle. The gas charge is specified on your gas bill and is based on total therms used and pricing plan selected.

Interstate capacity charge – This is a transportation charge that GNG calculates based on your Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC). (See the explanation below, under “AGLC Base Charge.�) GNG bills a full interstate capacity charge, regardless of the number of days of service, for all commercial and industrial customers and certain residential customers based on their pricing plan.

Sales tax – Sales tax will be applied to all charges except late charges.

AGLC Base Charge The AGLC Base Charge is a regulated charge that AGLC bills through each gas marketer in Georgia. This charge includes the following components:

Base customer charge – This covers the fixed costs for AGLC to serve a customer – for example, the meter, regulator, and service lines.

Ancillary service – This charge recovers AGLC’s costs of reading a customer’s meter.

Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC) charge – This charge recovers AGLC’s costs of providing delivery service based on a customer’s demand on the system on the coldest day of the year.

Peaking service – This charge, which doesn’t apply to all customers, recovers AGLC’s costs of operating liquefied natural gas and propane operations.

Franchise recovery cost – This charge recovers fees AGLC pays for the right to use public rights-of-way for AGLC’s gas lines and other facilities.

Social responsibility rider – This charge covers AGLC’s costs of providing a low-income senior citizen’s discount to eligible customers. All residential customers who are not receiving the low-income senior citizen’s rate pay this charge.

Pipeline replacement program – This charge recovers AGLC’s costs to replace all bare steel and cast iron pipe on AGLC’s system within Georgia.

Environmental response cost – This charge recovers AGLC’s costs of environmental compliance.

My gas bill wasn’t bad last month… but after reading some of the posts… I will likely have a big bill!

By Steve

January 13, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

To lilburn Parent,

The problem is, as long as REPUBLICANS are in charge big business will have a free hand in thinking up ways to give us the shaft. Had a close look at your phone or cable bills lately? The fees there will make you angry too. I am a college student and I pay more in fees than I do in tuition. By the way EVERYONE, there is an election in NOVEMBER!!

By chris

January 13, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

The estimation meter reading method is designed to keep you from conserving. It’s purpose is to keep revenues up by keeping thermostats turned up.

The trick is, you freeze yourself for a month trying to save money, but then your heating bill is no lower than it ever was.

You are all “why the heck am I freezing myself for no savings at all?” And then you crank the thermostat back up.

Estimation meter reading should be outlawed.

Estimation is merely the way those in power keep us subjects locked in our chains.

By chris

January 13, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

Walton EMC is at http://waltonemc.com/

You can use them for your gas anywhere in Georgia. I am in Cobb and I use them at a fixed rate that I signed for about a week before Clark Howard got the idea.

My natural gas bill this winter is about 10% less than it was with GNG last year!

By jerry

January 13, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

I have filled my walls and attic with rats. they live in the insulation and their body heat warms the house.

By Martha

January 13, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

We, the citizens of GEORGIA, need to take back the power that gave the “Good Old Boy” network the ability to do this to US. My bill is $450.00 and I have been cold all month and had the thermostat set at 65F. My bill is more than double what it was for November and the therm was set to the same 65F. WHAT’S GOING ON? Everyone from medical insurance providers to businesses that provide heat/cold and gas for autos are trying to BREAK US! I am fighting mad. ARE YOU????

By Tes

January 13, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

TURN THEM OFF!!!!!!!

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Lilburn Parent- I’m pretty sure the commercial where they asked us for additional money to pay for elderly’s etc bills was from a gas company. What I find interesting is that we are ALREADY charged for that automatically and they want more……can they really make us pay extra - I can afford it, but don’t think that I should be FORCED to give to charity.

I still question the pass through charge….that charge was the largest part of my bill in the summer!

By tes

January 13, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this

Martha, I am fighting mad with you. My gas bill was only $72 for November. And I haven’t received my bill for December yet, which I should have by now. I called and they told me that my meter was just read on Wednesday. I live in a 1300sq ft apt, and last month I kept my thermostat on 72, so I can only imagine my bill after reading this blog. Since I just opted for a roommate (in Sept) to cut my monthly expenses and save money for the next 6months, I may not feel the burden of the high cost as much. I suggested to my roommate that we can just live on space heaters/blankets, and not the turn the thing on. However, she’s cold natured and since we are splitting the cost, I just agreed to use the darn gas. But we’ll see what happens when I get my bill. I’m all for turning it off, even if my bill isn’t high and knowing I can share the cost. I cannot IMAGINE, and I would be higly P..off..if I opened my bill and it was up 300% since the last month..and I didn’t touch my thermostat. Again, I say weatherproof your house/apt. and Turn the DARN THING OFF!!!!

By Cary

January 13, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

Get this…My wife and I moved out of our home in East Cobb October 7th and moved into a larger home in Canton. We have Southern Co. Gas at the EMPTY East Cobb house. Thermostat set on 60 and let me stress again it’s freakin EMPTY. My bill for that house in December was $384 with 184 therms used. The bill from Georgia Nat. Gas at our new home was $394 with 189 therms used.

Now, can anyone explain how on earth the therms used were almost exactly the same in an completely EMPTY house as a house we are living in?

Just got off the phone with the PSC. Something definately ain’t right here!

By Watson Bryant

January 13, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

When are you knuckleheads going to learn that gas is a commodity and it’s price fluctuates based on world market conditions. YOU can’t control the price, and if you do, all that’s going to happen is shortages and eventually No gas. You have no god or government given right to gas at a price you deem affordable. If you can’t afford it, turn it down, put on more sweaters and coats, and go on welfare. This stuff about being charged for charity without prior consent stinks, and is dishonest.

By Cary

January 13, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

Watson,

Have you read this blog at all? If you had you would have seen numerous posts about people turning their heat off and using space heaters, blankets, flannels, etc. You would have also read about people turning their thermostats down below 60. All of these people took preventative measures and still their bill went through the roof. Read the blog man before you offer such wonderful advice.

Sure, my post was about price but my question was about the therms that the meter reader logged for our empty house. These therms recorded at our empty house were the same as our new occupied house, so something smells funny and it certainly isn’t about putting on a sweater and getting under a blanket.

By Tes

January 13, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

CARY, MY MOUTH IS WIDE OPEN!!! THEY WILL TRY TO SAY YOURS IS AN ISOLATED CASE. BUT I’M NOT BUYING IT. FOLKS..WE ARE GETTING RIPPED!!!!!!

By Ed Blair

January 13, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

It is not out of compassion that Governor Perdue sought a temporary decrease in the sales tax on natural gas. It was out of a fear that voters would remember that he pushed through to passage the Senate bill that deregulated natural gas, an act that has sent natural gas prices in Georgia sky high. Atlanta Gas Light, Georgia Natural Gs, and all the marketers can alibi all they want that astronomical home heating bills were caused by two hurricanes. Deregulation is the biggest thief and I, for one, will exact my price when Perdue seeks reelection.

By June Gader

January 13, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

My gas and electric bill for November was $1,489.

I find that just a little over-the-top.

I live alone. I use the washing machine once a week and the dishwasher once a week. I don’t take long showers (HATE being wet).

I have a fairly large house, but one whole section is not heated at all. For the rest, I heat the downstairs by day and the upstairs by night—when I’m home. (I travel a lot.) I keep the thermostat betweem 68 and 72 when the heat is on.

My provider is Cobb EMC. This is Scana Gas. When I see the outdoor boards by the dozen I get angry. They spend a huge amount on advertising—and then charge me a huge amount for what I consider to be a basic human need.

$1,489. $1,489. $1,489. I still can’t believe it.

By jeremy

January 13, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

June,

OMG. $1,489 is INSANE. You literally could have burned a stack of one dollar bills and come out cheaper.

By BJ

January 13, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

In November my bill was $99.00. I went into the hospital on November 28 and came home from my niece’s home on December 13. No one was in my home, no hot water used, no cooking, and the thermostat set at 65. This month my bill came with a $356.00 fee. This is worse than terrible. What will it be since I am home cooking, showering and the thermostat is set at 68 degrees. to top everything off, the weather is warmer than usual.

By RPW

January 13, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

I used to pay a gas bill until I moved and I am happy I did! But I feel for all you people having to pay these ridiculous prices…..so I wrote a complaint to Governor Perdue through his website: http://gov.state.ga.us/contact.shtml It takes minutes and anyone with a natural gas issue or any issue, should email him. Remember people, he is an elected official. When the next opportunity arises we can always vote someone else into the same office who will correct the situation. Let him know this!

By Kelly

January 13, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

kraig, Please repeat what you said
on WHO is to blame?

By TES

January 13, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

Kelly, I was hoping no one acknowleged his comment, and hopefully by now he decided to exit this blog since no one responded. If he was suggesting what I think he was, then anyone with such ignorance deserves to pay a high gas bills, and trust that God knows and hears and sees all things, so gas bills isn’t the only thing he’ll be complaining about.

By Tes

January 13, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

Thank You Tes! Well said!!

By Steve

January 13, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

TES,

Well said!

By chris

January 13, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

Estimation is a racket and should be illegal! It goes like this:

Dec estimate 150 therms at 1.45 each Jan estimate 160 therms at 1.55 each Feb estimate 170 therms at 1.65 each Mar They read the meter and “discover” your usage was overestimated. They charge for 30 therms at the spring rate of 1.35 each

You see? They shift your therm usage to their highest priced months via the magic of “estimation.”

Billing should have been more like: Dec 120 therms at 1.45 each Jan 130 therms at 1.55 each Feb 140 therms at 1.65 each Mar 120 therms at 1.35 each

Thru the magic of estimation, the gas company charged you a lot more! In other words, they gouged you!

By RPW

January 13, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

I just looked up kraigs comment you guys were talking about…..What an idiot. I like what you said TES!

By nunya

January 13, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Lilburn Parent, for recognizing that I’m not very nice. I never made any claim to being very nice. I am, however, on top of my business.

Since 1998 when I bought my 50 year old 1400 sg/ft house, my December gas usage in therms has been as follows: 2005/92 therms, 2004/51 therms, 2003/58, 2002/59, 2001/60, 2000/106, 1999/79, 1998/66 I log all my utilies (gas,water,electric) in a spreadsheet so I can track my usage trends and recognize if there is ever a problem. I also insulated the attic within a month of moving in and installed a programable thermostat. My average bill is normally about $80-$100 for December and it was $200 this past month. More money? Yes. More gas used, not really. It’s still affordable even though I’m now unemployed. I’m taking responsibility (and reaping the rewards) for my actions and not blaming everyone under the sun.

That lady on the news last night had a $800 gas bill but not one word was said about what she is doing to prevent it again. Like it or not, all I am reading on here is whining. No one understands what makes up a gas bill but there is reluctance to find out (The attitude is “spoon feed me the information so I don’t have to make the call”). To the guy that can’t believe that his empty house would run up a big heating bill, (1)Why is your heat set so high for an empty house? (2)The energy efficiency of a house isn’t altered by people occupying it. It still has the same insulation and corresponding heat loss.

The term regulation is being thrown around like it is synonomous with being a magic wand that is going to somehow change the cost of gas on the open market.

People like to buy bigger houses than they NEED. Maybe people need a utility calculator in addition to a mortgage calculator for figuring their overall costs and what they can afford.

Even if this current issue eventually goes away, it will be back.

By Carrie

January 13, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

Hmmmmm - you know, once you get a job you might not have so much free time to make phone calls and create spreadsheets….just a thought.

By RFSOsInRevolt

January 13, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this

Hey, don’t worry about your high gas bills. Jerry Keen, John Wiles, Glenn Richardson, and numerous other legislators looking for a cheap political score for this election year are signing all Georgians up for decades-long, ongoing billion dollar expenses. They are doing under the guise of one HUGE lie of “PROTECTING THE CHILDREN!!!!” I’m referring to their proposed legislation to ban Registered Former SEX OFFENDERS in Georgia from living or working in populated areas.

Jerry Keen and Co. are not doing it for public safety. In fact, it is pretty well known and understood that it reduces public safety. They are doing it for votes and Jerry Keen’s personal malevolence. Jerry Keen has been bragging to the media for a year that he wants to drive former offenders into other states. That is his goal. Obviously the goals of a God-fearing man and a good neighbor for other states in this country.

Don’t worry about your gas bills. Legislators are intent on indebting all Georgians to literally BILLIONS of dollars of unavoidable, irreversible expenses. You will not have a choice or option of paying those bills. Anyone who supports Keen’s legislation is immoral and Godless. They also have no business complaining about taxes. E-mail me or check out this other BLOG entry for more information: pay up.

By I know about this stuff...

January 16, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

Here are a few facts:

1) Environmentalists and government regulations have prevented a new nuclear power plant from being built in this country since the 1980’s. In addition, there have only been a handful of coal fired plants built. As a result, in the late 90’s, electrical companies began building gas-fired power plants at an unprecedented rate. The end result is that the summer months, which had typically been used by the gas companies to build up their gas reserves in storage, are now selling gas to power companies the gas that would have normally been put into storage.

2) There are only two interstate gas pipeline companies servicing Georgia. Although we may have ten or fifteen marketers, they all have to move the gas through the same pipelines as well as buy the gas from just a handful of suppliers.

3) In the regulated model, the gas company provided gas at a pre-established rate. If gas prices went up, they would file a rate case with the PSC to recoup their cost. In these rate proceedings, they would have to prove and justify any and all expenses that were to be passed through to the customer.

4) All deregulation has done is to add an additional layer of overhead to the cost of service.

5) A gas marketer is much like a bookie on a gambling wager - either way, he is going to make money. If you go with a fixed rate plan, the marketer either enters into a contract with the supplier or hedges his position in the commodities market. If you go with a variable rate plan, he will still enter into a contract and hedge his position to a certain extent. Either way, he is going to make money.

6) Gas demand is an essential utility and it’s use is non-elastic. We consumers can alter our consumption to a moderate degree, but not by much.

7) Thank God gas deregulation blew up before the politicians had a chance to deregulate electricity. We would have been in a fix if both gas and electricity were deregulated.

By Addition and Subtraction

January 16, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

Folks, With or without gas deregulation, which allows competitors like Scana and Shell and GNG to fight for your business and sell you gas at retail prices, your bills would have gone up recently. This is not a Ga problem. See, each of these Ga retailers must buy there gas in bulk, from the wholesale market before they can deliver it to AGL who then delivers it to you. Wholesale gas costs have gone up nationwide, not just for Georgians, but also those in NY and CA and Seattle and Ohio… Everyone’s rates have increased a lot. The reason is that there is a market for gas: some end users like the retail companies, some producers like BP and Conoco, and some speculators who have no natural stake in the market. Believe me, none of these players individually is powerful enough to push the market prices higher by themselves. It just so happens that there are more buyers than sellers of gas and that means that there is a scarcity. And this scarcity is expected to continue. The hurricanes in the gulf knocked out a lot of supply and we were already in a pretty scarce environment by then. I know it is hard to be reasonable when the bills are coming in, but this is what the causes are. Further, December 2005 was one of the coldest on record. January should be better for most of you.

By Jabari Williams

January 17, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

I live in a 2 bedroom condo, my gas bill is usually $60-$80 in the winter, Last month the gas company says I used 32 therms and chraged me $90.00, this month the gas company says I used 72 therms and charged me $160.00…. I follow the same patterns as last month, and I turn my heat down to at least 60 during the day when I’m not home. From 8:30am till 6:30pm WTF man!

By Haze

January 18, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this

WHAT A RIPOFF!!! My bill went from $275 last year to $454!!! The amount of therms used was close..but I am paying .65 per therm MORE this year than last year. When I called GNG..the lady said that the average temp for my zip code was 28 degrees. How can THAT be? We do like everyone else here and keep it on 65 when we are at work and 68 when we are at home…but for $454 I should be able to keep it at 80!!

I hate to sound like a conspiracy theorist..but with all of the energy companies getting fat, dumb and happy…while middle class America pays more each year….it MUST be true. ENRON is a classic example of scamming the American people….and Deregulation was a BIG MISTAKE for consumers….

I guess it is time to look at an electric heat pump…..we plan to be in this house for the next 14 years or so.

I found some information on the BASE Charges that AGL charges.

Have a look:

Guide to Customer Charges

Your Base Rate When you receive your gas bill each month from your marketer, a portion of the bill is a base charge from Atlanta Gas Light. This charge is regulated by the Georgia Public Service Commission. Base charges represent our cost of delivering gas to your home or business, pipeline maintenance, and meter reading. The charge will not vary should you choose another marketer.

Base rates are unique to each household or business and are calculated by how much gas is used during the coldest period of the prior year. This allows us to ensure we have enough pipe and storage capacity to meet every customer’s need in cold weather. The base charge for each business varies according to the size of the home or facility and the types of gas appliances or equipment used. Interstate pipeline and transportation charges and the commodity cost of natural gas are not affected by the rate design.

How Do We Calculate Your Base Rate? There are several factors, including: Customer Charge: A fixed monthly fee for gas connection to your home or business. Ancillary Service: Covers the cost of meter reading. Dedicated Design Day Capacity (DDDC): A charge that recovers costs associated with delivering gas to your home or business. See more. Peaking Service: Covers the fixed cost of operating company-owned above ground storage facilities. This ensures an adequate supply of gas on the coldest day of the year. This service is only charged to customers in the Atlanta, Macon and Valdosta delivery groups. Social Responsibility Fee: Covers the cost of funding the Senior Citizens Discount Program for low-income customers. Environmental Recovery Fee (ERF): Recovers expenses related to cleanup of former manufactured gas plant sites. Pipeline Replacement: Covers the cost of replacing 2,300 miles of bare steel and cast iron gas pipelines in Georgia. See more. Franchise Recovery Fee (FRF): Recovers fees paid by Atlanta Gas Light Company to local governments for the use of public rights-of-way for its natural gas lines and other facilities. Customer Education Fee: Recovers the cost associated with providing non-biased consumer education pertaining to natural gas deregulation.

Calculating Your Base Rate: Examples This is an example of how base charges are calculated for a typical residential customer with a DDDC factor of 1.29. Using this calculation, the customer’s base rate - the AGLC pass-through charge - would be $15.41, as shown. Base Rate Example - Residential

This is an example of how base charges are calculated for a typical commercial customer. Base Rate Example - Commercial

Tariff Provisions The tariff is the company’s schedule of approved rates and charges on file with the Georgia Public Service Commission.

View tariff provisions for Atlanta Gas Light. (7MB file - download time may vary)

DDDC - Dedicated Design Day Capacity Charge Questions and Answers What is this recent recalculation from Atlanta Gas Light and how does it affect you?

Read on for the answers:

What is a Dedicated Design Day Capacity Charge (DDDC)? The DDDC covers the common costs of delivering gas based on a customer’s demand on the system on the coldest day of the year. This method is the fairest way to allocate each customer’s share of the total cost of the delivery system.

Why is the DDDC Being Recalculated? A DDDC recalculation is required each year and approved by the Georgia PSC, in order to update usage patterns (summer and winter) for each customer for the most recent year.

How is DDDC Determined? AGL uses information specific to the premises, such as past usage patterns or gas appliances, to determine a location’s demand on the system.

When Does the Recalculation go into Effect? The most recent recalculation went into effect on August 1, 2003 and is recalculated annually.

What do I do if I Think the New DDDC is Wrong? You should contact your natural gas marketer if you feel your DDDC is incorrect.

Which Accounts are Being Recalculated? Every customer’s (residential and commercial) DDDC factor has been recalculated.

How Could the DDDC Change if the Customer was not There Last Year? The DDDC is recalculated per premise, not per customer, and thus changes in usage patterns and gas appliances might affect the DDDC.

How is the DDDC Calculated if the Customer is in a Newly Built Structure? Because AGL does not have 12 months of consumption history on a newly built structure, AGL gathers specific information to calculate the DDDC. For residential premises, the factor is based on the square footage of the structure, the type of structure (single family residence, apartment or mobile home) and the gas equipment used.

Are Commercial Customers Impacted by the DDDC Recalculation? Commercial and residential accounts are affected by the DDDC recalculation.

If the DDDC Recalculation Results in the DDDC Factor Being Lless Than Before, Will the Customer Receive a Refund for the Previous DDDC Charges? There will be no refunds to customers whose DDDC factor decreased and there will there be no charges to customers whose DDDC factor increased. The new DDDC factor is the new capacity allocation for the new year only.

When will a Customer’s Base Charges be Affected by the New DDDC Recalculation? The new DDDC factor was effective August 1, 2003. All base charges calculated after August should reflect the new DDDC recalculation.

How Can AGL Raise Rates Without a PSC Approved Rate Increase? The DDDC recalculation is not a rate increase. AGL is simply charging marketers for the capacity that their customers use. By doing an annual recalculation of each customer’s DDDC, AGL can make sure all customers are fairly charged for how much of the system is “reserved” for your needs.

How Has the Record Cold of Last Winter Affected DDDC Factors? AGL calculates DDDC factors based on peak demand. Therefore, weather volatility is taken out and the unusually cold weather of last winter will not affect DDDC factors.

How do DDDC Rates Vary by Month? In February 2001, Atlanta Gas Light implemented a seasonal rate plan for DDDC charges. Billing follows the traditional winter and summer usage patterns. The impact on consumers? The seasonal rate plan results in higher base charges in winter (more gas use), and lower base charges in summer (less gas use). Interstate pipeline and transportation charges and the commodity cost of natural gas are not affected by the rate design.

Seasonal Base Charges Month Seasonal Percent Rate January 18% $11.53 February 19% $12.18 March 15% $9.61 April 8% $5.13 May 4% $2.57 June 3% $1.92 July 3% $1.92 August 3% $1.92 September 3% $1.92 October 3% $1.92 November 7% $4.49 December 14% $8.97 Total 100% $64.08

Annual DDDC Charge is $64.08 per Dt of DDDC. Rate represents Seasonal Percentage times Annual DDDC Charge. Program started at February 2001 billing cycle. Current rates started May 1, 2002.

By Guitao Gao

January 20, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

I moved out of my appartment on Jan 5. I just received my last gas bill and it is more than three times of previous month. On the bill it shows actual reading is 3955 on Jan 6,2006. I went to the appartment today and found that the current reading is 3919. I called the customer service but they refused to reread the meter. They just rub you by cheating.

By Guitao Gao

January 20, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

Forgot the mention the cheating company is Georgia Natural Gas

By Boingo

January 24, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

All of you who voted for Bush in 2004 only have one person to blame for all this mess, yourself.

By Jay R

January 24, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

Our thermostat stays on 68. We are still in a state of shock after receiving a Dec gas bill for $563.39. We are afraid to open Jan bill.

By p

January 25, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I’ve recieved my BILL and since november my gas has gone from $160-$198…and this while I had been a Miser and used two ceramic heaters in my split level home., and refused to use my fireplace w/ gas ignition…So this is my solution to the greedy gas companies…I say drain em dry!! eventually they will have to find new resources and will be pleading with the government to fund their search and drilling efforts. Soooo instead of Not being warm enough with a low thermostat and NOt enjoying a nice fire…I am upping my thermostat to 74 and burning fires even in the middle of the week …and not using my stupid fire hazard ceramic heater…I say SCREW It!! their charging me too much anyway, I might as well be comfortable! So GAS Companies be ware…your going to run short soon…and when you do..no problem I have plenty of wood to burn…you can burn your statements!!