INDIANAPOLIS – Citizens Gas projected today that the typical residential heating bill will decrease about $13 in November (billed in December) compared to a year ago. The decrease is attributable to slightly lower wholesale natural gas prices and steps the utility is taking to reduce gas costs.

Assuming normal weather, the utility projected that the typical residential heating bill for November would be about $112 for 103 therms. During November 2006, the typical bill was about $125 for 103 therms. In October, the typical bill was $54 for 46 therms.

The projections are part of the utility's monthly Gas Cost Adjustment (GCA) filing with the IURC. Citizens Gas makes the filings to account for changes in the price of gas it purchases for its customers. Gas prices often fluctuate rapidly because of changing weather and gas market conditions.

Customers can minimize the monthly financial impact of their gas bill by signing up for Citizens' Budget Payment Plan. Under the Budget Plan, a customer's heating cost is spread out into equal monthly payments over a 12-month period. Information about Budget Plan eligibility is available at 924-3311.

The utility urges customers to conserve energy by taking simple steps to weatherize their homes. Customers can better understand their gas usage and conserve energy with two new energy management tools at CitizensEnergySavers.com. The Citizens Bill Analyzer helps customers better understand their energy usage and the Citizens Home Energy Advisor provides a list of energy saving suggestions through a free online energy audit.

To help minimize the impact of sudden changes in wholesale natural gas prices, Citizens Gas utilizes a hedging strategy to purchase most of its gas supply during periods of low demand. Citizens Gas also stores gas in underground storage fields during the summer for use during the winter.

While this strategy can only minimize price spikes, Citizens Gas’ rates are among the lowest in the State of Indiana, according to figures compiled by the IURC. Based on rates in effect on January 1, 2006, Citizens Gas has had the fifth lowest average gas rates among the 25 gas companies operating in the state. Citizens January rates also were about 17 percent lower than gas rates charged in surrounding counties.

Average Residential Heating Bill Comparisons Projections Assume Normal Weather

About Citizens Gas
Citizens Gas & Coke Utility is a Public Charitable Trust providing efficient and reliable energy services to more than 266,000 customers in and around Marion County. The Public Charitable Trust means the utility is managed only for the benefit of customers and the community.

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