Natural gas bills for Xcel Energy customers might see a free
fall in April.
The utility proposed a 31 percent drop in the monthly gas cost
adjustment, the price customers pay for natural gas based on
expected natural gas costs.
The electric commodity adjustment for the next quarter rose 2.6
percent.
According to the Energy Information Administration, natural gas
prices in the Mountain West are close to 2004 levels, at $9.23 per
1,000 cubic feet of gas.
Residential and small-business customers will pay 31 percent
less next month — to $0.3221 per therm — from the existing therm
price of $0.4676, if the Public Utilities Commission agrees.
The April 2008 therm price was $0.7295, or 126 percent higher
than what is proposed for next month.
With expected warmer weather, Xcel anticipates typical
residential customers will use 34 percent less natural gas in
April, compared to their use in March.
Overall bills could decrease by 41 percent to $41.15, based on
projected use of 59.9 therms.
This compares to March bills of $69.67, using 90.3 therms.
Typical April 2008 bills were $63.86, which would be 36 percent
or $22.71 higher than projected for next month, adjusted for
expected, average existing use of 59.9 therms.
Gas
