SPRINGFIELD, Mo (KY3) – Frozen weather conditions have demanded high gas supplies in the Springfield region, according to City Utilities.
According to City Utilities, the gas wells are freezing in the southwest, causing a limited supply. In response, suppliers are expected to raise prices for remaining natural gas supplies.
“This is an unprecedented weather event that has an impact not only on all of our customers, but also on Midwest’s natural gas utility customers,” said Gary Gibson, CEO and CEO of City Utilities in Springfield. every service we offer is to keep our customers safe and make sure we do everything we can during this severe winter event. ”
Costs have risen from a market price of $ 3 per decatherm to nearly $ 400 per decatherm, City Utilities said in a press release on Sunday.
While CU purchases less than 25% of its natural gas supply from the market, this situation is likely to have an impact on future utility bills. The rest of the natural gas for City Utilities customers comes from fixed-price contracts and storage, which are bought out of season.
In preparation for the icy weather, City Utilities has initiated a natural gas reduction agreement with several commercial and industrial customers who have the ability to switch from natural gas to an alternative fuel source. This option immediately redirects supply to residential and other commercial customers and will be in effect until Tuesday at 9 a.m., but could be extended.
In addition, City Utilities has activated the peak gas shaving system that combines a source of propane and air and is injected into the gas transmission system to help with this peak demand. This will be the first time this system is used and has been implemented for such an event.
“We ask our community to work together, as we have done so many times in the past, to get through this peak period with as little impact as possible,” Gibson said. “We’ve already seen companies volunteer to reduce their use, and we’re asking everyone else to do the same.”
There are a few steps you can take to reduce the impact of this weather condition on your utility bill:
• Switch off the thermostat by at least 2 degrees from the normal setting. 68 degrees is the suggested average setting for winter.
• Limit the use of natural gas fireplaces.
• Limit the use of connected electric space heaters.
• Reduce the water heater temperature setting.
• Look for other opportunities in your home to reduce electricity and gas consumption in the short term
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