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Gas Heating Bills: NC & SC customers hit with supply & demand costs as well as a rate increase

The Piedmont Natural Gas rate increase went into effect in November of 2021. The average rate increase is $11 a month.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — It’s not your imagination. You’re paying more for your heat. This isn't just a Triad-area issue, this is an everyone issue. Although, in the Carolinas, customers may be feeling it a bit more than others.

2 Wants To Know recently received this email:

I received an email from Piedmont Natural Gas alerting me that my bill was available. Much to my shock, it is the highest I have ever been billed! When I called to question the validity it was explained that natural gas costs have increased 40%!!  -- 2WTK Viewer

Piedmont Natural Gas was allowed by North and South Carolina utilities commissions to raise rates. As of November 1, 2021, customers have been paying on average about $11 more a month.

The US Energy Information Administration confirms for the nearly half of households who heat with natural gas, the cost is expected to rise 30% this year.
The 5% who use propane and the 4% who primarily use heating oil will likely see their costs go up 54% more and 43% more.

For the roughly 40% of households who use electricity, prices are expected to increase just a bit, about 6%.

“Supply is slow in coming online because of COVID. The demand was through the floor. And so a number of operations went offline. And so as the system is getting online supply has not increased to demand,” said Jennifer Granholm, US Department of Energy Secretary.

What can help?

  • Registering for Piedmont’s Equal Payment Plan can help customers by spreading their payments out evenly for the entire year, meaning they will not be surprised by a high bill in the winter.
  • Customers also can lower their bills by monitoring and managing their energy usage. Piedmont offers helpful tips for ways customers can manage their usage.

    

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