So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

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By an edhat reader

Curious if anyone else received their Gas Bill this month and experienced a massive increase over last year.

Cost per therm in December22 was $1.05329 and now for January cost per therm is $3.44892. Bill was $169.65 for 43therms.

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positive-one Jan 27, 2023 12:43 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

The cost of natural gas in Southern California increased approx 300% in January 2023.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-01-09/why-natural-gas-prices-and-bills-are-soaring-in-southern-california

The U.S. Energy Information Administration also cited constraints in gas deliveries heading to California from places including west Texas, inventories on the West Coast that are well below the five-year average and reduced pipeline capacity for the unprecedented price spike. Wholesale natural gas prices also have increased in Northern California, Oregon and Washington, the Energy Information Administration said.

Southern California “sits at the end of the pipe,” said Jeff Richter, principal owner of Energy GPS, an Oregon-based energy analytics company.

The Pacific Northwest exports hydroelectric power to the Golden State but cold and dry weather in November and December resulted in Oregon and Washington sending fewer megawatts of power to California. That left California more reliant on power plants fueled by natural gas.

jak Jan 28, 2023 06:09 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

I certainly appreciate the research you have shared. I will say that I am very skeptical of one paragraph, though. The part about California being at the end of the pipeline just doesn’t ring true. Gas prices have shot up from Seattle to Sarasota and from Bangor to San buena Ventura. The prices have shot up in Texas which is supposedly at the beginning of the pipeline. California is also a gas producer by the way.

We are now living half way across the country from Santa Barbara and in our rural area propane works much better than natural gas. In the past year and a half we have watched liquid propane go from $1.27 per gallon to almost $3.50 though is is back below three bucks last I checked. I was smart/lucky enough to buy a couple thousand gallons for future delivery in summer of 2020 before the election but this winter is going to cost us more to be sure. Wish I had done the same with gasoline which went from $1.36 (remote area so always 10% higher) to $3.72 since 2020. It was down to $2.50 for a while but it’s now back over $3.00.

I feel for our friends in the frozen north who literally can’t survive the sub zero winter without their heat and for most, solar and heat pumps aren’t a viable option and if it were, spending a hundred grand on a system to heat a farmhouse and a small barn is out of the question.

Chip of SB Jan 27, 2023 12:54 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Back in 2020, the cost per therm was in the neighborhood of $0.20-0.40 per therm. Upon taking office, Joe Biden shut down the keystone xl pipeline along with scores of other oil and gas projects. Now we’re paying the price on our bills and we have a diminished ability to provide critical energy supplies to our allies in Europe to help them cope with their dependence on Russian gas. We need to ramp up our energy production!

LwoodFog Jan 27, 2023 01:10 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-watchdog-calls-for-investigation-into-so-cal-gas-natural-price-spikes-points-to-evidence-utility-colluded-with-parent-company-sempra-to-drive-up-price-on-customers-301726179.html

BufordNgoleta Jan 27, 2023 03:08 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

You can thank Joe Biden for that. Another of the many things he's made worse for Americans.

Voice of Reason Jan 27, 2023 03:23 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Chip and Buford, just stop with the lies and misinformation. Enough already! It's clearly the Republicans fault, they fight tooth and nail to prevent any additional fossil fuel extraction and hold up the development of any new processing / refinancing / liquification facilities with endless red tape. If only Democrats were in charge of this state and country we wouldn't have any of these insane price spikes and the cost of nat gas and gasoline would be much more affordable.

sacjon Jan 27, 2023 04:09 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

If the higher prices are a result of a decrease in fossil fuel production and dependence, I'm happy to pay a little extra each month. It always costs something when you have to clean up a mess.

Voice of Reason Jan 27, 2023 04:47 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Your privilege is showing, many aren't so fortunate.

sacjon Jan 27, 2023 04:54 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

No one is going bankrupt because of their gas bill, relax. Besides, if you really cared, you'd be OK with the government subsidizing renewable energy production to lower consumer costs.

ChillinGrillin Jan 27, 2023 08:56 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Everybody knows that the president has a switchboard under the Resolute desk to control the gas pipelines and space lasers. It's all detailed in the documents from Hunter biden's laptop, if you wear tinfoil hats the government can't keep you from the truth. Wake up sheeple!1!

a-1674911173 Jan 28, 2023 05:06 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

4:54, a $50-100 increase in a bill can wreak havoc on a family living paycheck to paycheck! Of which there are plenty in SB. Communify makes grants, I think, and weatherizes; I believe Unity Shoppe and Catholic Charities have funds to get people through months and prevent them losing utilities.
Donating to the Food Bank allows more money of those in need to go toward utilities.
https://foodbanksbc.org/

https://www.communifysb.org/ (Was "Community Action Commission")

http://www.catholiccharities-sbc.org/
• In partnership with the Santa Barbara County Foodbank, we distribute over 2.1 million pounds annually of supplemental and nutritious food to our clients.
• CCSB is the only organization operating countywide offering financial rental and utility assistance through federal Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) and Homeless Prevention Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) grants.

https://unityshoppe.org/programs-and-services/

jak Jan 28, 2023 06:14 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

5:06, you are soooo right about the effects of an extra $100 a month on some families.

Ironic that with all the rancor over our cures and former President and their respective scandals it could well be energy prices that decide the next election. Much as I hated Trump, in many ways I miss him.

Voice of Reason Jan 29, 2023 12:30 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Many couldn’t get past him being an a-hole to see many of things he was pushing for were good for the average American families.

a-1675039355 Jan 29, 2023 04:42 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

He was and is a complete moron interested only in his own ego, and whoever he thinks can enrich him. The average American is not anything he cares about.

Voice of Reason Jan 30, 2023 10:33 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

So he's just like like every other high level politician then? But thank you for providing an example to my 12:30 comment.

CoastWatch Jan 27, 2023 04:30 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Hey SacJon, I'll be by tomorrow to pick up your gas furnace and gas stove/oven. Please heat and cook inside your home with charcoal or wood, it would help us all on from reading your posts in the future.

sacjon Jan 27, 2023 07:56 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Hey COAST - grow up. Also, that doesn't make any sense. Why would I stop posting comments if I was heating with charcoal or wood? Do you think the internet runs on gas? Maybe invest in a book on how to be funny? Hint - if you have to explain your "joke" or whatever that was, then it wasn't very good.

a-1674867751 Jan 27, 2023 05:02 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Our bill went from $86 to $523! Trying to find out why that I was so, I was put on hold, never got called back. A day later, on hold for close to an hour, I finally got to speak with someone who said she didn't know why there was such an increase. ....I looked at the small print in the printed bill, not available in the online version, that said the usage was "estimated". When I asked why that was so, that instead of the usual for December of 44 therms, but was over 170 estimated, I was told that they weren't able to read the meter so they estimated but that it probably would be corrected at the end of this month and that I should just pay the bill. I have not done so. ...If I didn't know better, I'd guess they were hoping all would become more environmentally aware and switch to electricity. ....jking!

patrick Jan 27, 2023 05:10 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

We put solar panels on our house last summer and changed from a gas heater to an electric heat pump. Our hot water is still gas, and our bill jumped from $12 to $23. Instead of building pipelines, install solar panels.

Shasta Guy Jan 27, 2023 05:34 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Maybe not “go Bankrupt”, but might:

- Get behind on rent payment
- Miss an auto loan payment
- Have less money for groceries
- Cut back on eating out, hurting small business

This is a punch to gut from the politicians in Sacramento who want to restrict this form of energy.

sacjon Jan 27, 2023 05:40 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

SHASTA - all the more reason to stop pushing back against large scale renewable energy production. We can't just keep using coal and oil because it's cheaper.

Shasta Guy Jan 27, 2023 06:03 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Large scale renewable energy is a fantasy. Look at Germany, they are having to fire up as many coal plants as possible this winter because solar and wind is inadequate.

sacjon Jan 27, 2023 06:08 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

At present, yes, but that's why we need to keep pushing. We can't get there overnight. Mass viability is in the works. In the meantime, we should be using it as much as possible, not constantly pushing back on it because it's not perfect yet.

Voice of Reason Jan 27, 2023 06:43 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Shasta, large scale green energy requires nuclear for the foreseeable future. Sac, no one is pushing back on expanding renewable energy, the push back is on limiting fossil fuels prematurely. Natural gas is one of the cleanest fossil fuels, it’s cheap, and the US has a ton of it, it should be expanded while dirtier forms like coal are eliminated.

sacjon Jan 27, 2023 07:32 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

"Sac, no one is pushing back on expanding renewable energy" - Nah, there's no pushback or opposition at all........ smh

"Using multi-level qualitative analysis, we have identified seven key sources of opposition. Of the projects we studied, 34% faced significant delays and difficulties securing permits, 49% were cancelled permanently, and 26% resumed after being stopped for several months or years. Project delays and cancellations account for potential lost generating capacity of almost 4600 MW. " ---https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421522001471

"As renewable energy production has surged in recent years, opponents of government policies that have helped spur its growth have pushed to roll back those incentives and mandates in state after state." --- https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/29/business/energy-environment/a-pushback-on-green-power.html

" During his conversation with the Huffington Post, Rabe says that he sees “a nationwide trend of legal challenges, rather than deeper commitments, to measures that increase renewable energy use.” Rabe also asserts that “nationwide Republican gains in state legislatures could stop or roll back states’ progress on renewable energy.” --- https://fordschool.umich.edu/news/2014/rabe-discusses-national-pushback-renewable-energy-laws-huffpo

"More than 100 ordinances have been adopted in 31 states blocking or restricting new wind, solar, and other renewable energy facilities" --- https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/opposition-renewable-energy-facilities-united-states

"Researchers say that in many groups, misinformation is raising doubts about renewable energy and slowing or derailing projects." --- https://www.npr.org/2022/03/28/1086790531/renewable-energy-projects-wind-energy-solar-energy-climate-change-misinformation

I could go on, but yeah, you're not lying at all, right? There's absolutely *no* pushback to renewable energy projects. Seriously dude.......

Voice of Reason Jan 29, 2023 10:28 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

I meant no one here on EdHat,but you knew that…. I’ll try to read the links you provided when I have time and point out how something like requiring a permit doesn’t equal pushing back on renewable energy.

sacjon Jan 30, 2023 09:02 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

"I meant no one here on EdHat, but you knew that…." - LOL that's STILL BS. Look at any comment by CHIP, SBLOCAL, COASTWATCH, etc.... Just stop lying. You were caught it another lie and now you're backpedaling.. again.

Voice of Reason Jan 30, 2023 10:31 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

I don't think you know what the words "lying" and "lie" actually means.

sacjon Jan 30, 2023 10:33 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

VOICE - intentionally making a false statement. You know, like "no one is pushing back on expanding renewable energy."

What would you call it? A fib?

SBSand Jan 27, 2023 05:42 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

My bill more than DOUBLED from last month even though our usage was lower.

Shasta Guy Jan 27, 2023 08:04 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

At his very moment per:

https://www.caiso.com/TodaysOutlook/Pages/supply.html

Renewables are supplying just 19% of CA’s electrical needs while natural gas and imports are supplying 60%. That’s only electricity, and direct heating using natural gas or petroleum products for transportation are not included. CA has a long way to go before renewables can supplant energy usage is this state. We’ll run out of places for windmills and open space for solar before we can power all of this state energy needs.

a-1675020114 Jan 29, 2023 11:21 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

CAISO shows 62% of our load today being supplied by renewable energy. Maybe your bias made you swap stats.

sbsweetpea Jan 27, 2023 08:52 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Mine double from the month before, but I also went back and looked at my bill last year at the same time and it is 5X what it was last year.

sbdude Jan 27, 2023 09:13 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Oddly, the national wholesale cost of natural gas is lower now than it was last summer. I am not sure what to make of this data.

https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/NG%3DF/history?p=NG%3DF

justabrain Jan 27, 2023 09:26 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

There is only one word for SocaGas: fraud. Gas price nationally has come down almost 3 folds from high. The gigantic jump in the recent bill with very minimal use is puzzling and outrageous. Whatever reason they gave is BS at best, only points to bad planning on their part with the customers money already collected. Don't they plan with our money and avoid this? Isn't that what all the rate increase year after year for? What have they done with that?

Voice of Reason Jan 28, 2023 06:54 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Fortunately they are investing this as SCE’s parent company also supplies SCE with the natural gas they buy. I doubt anything will come of it but at least it is raising red flags.

mp805 Jan 27, 2023 10:06 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

OP here, thank you everyone for your response, thought I was the only one with a big increase this month. We all need some climate credits to offset this crazy amount billed to us in January. :)

FernaldPoint93108 Jan 28, 2023 02:44 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

SoCalGas from time to time do what I consider fraud: they don’t bother to read your gas meter. They instead guess what it would be based on national usage.

This year there was a big cold snap across the county but not in SB. So what do they do? They guess that people in mild climates used as much gas as people in arctic climates and they charge you for gas you never used!

My gas home heater, where 90% of my bill always is, was broken in November and December 2022 and turned off (and not leaking). I used portable electric heater.s and a coat. Did the gas usage usage on my bill drop 90%? No, they said my usage increased 300% in November and 400% in December! This has nothing to do with the price of natural gas going up. It’s fraudulent meter guessing instead of reading it.

Later on they say “oops” and your bill plunges as they credit people the hundreds of millions of dollars in overcharges. They need a class action lawsuit to stop this forced borrowing of our money., especially during the holidays.

a-1674971542 Jan 28, 2023 09:52 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

FERNALDPOINT93108: Agreed. It's crazy seeing one gas bill super high and the next one at about 1/5 of the former bill. Although I can't see how they're making any money "borrowing" from us. I have $1,000 in one savings account and I've made a whopping 6¢ interest on it in four months.

a-1674910541 Jan 28, 2023 04:55 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

I look on the bright side: for at least 7 months of the year at least, the only gas I use is when I cook.
Yes, my recent bill was $150 -- 2 to 3 times what I'm accustomed to paying.
"Nov. therm price: .64959
Dec. therm price: $1.05329"
I was charged at .95585

a-1674973569 Jan 28, 2023 10:26 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Oh. Yes. Got my bill today and yes, it's double last month's.

SoCalGas's Gas commodity cost per therm: Dec. $1.053, Jan. $3.448

Mebk Jan 28, 2023 06:27 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

And out US oil reserve is being sold to Other countries.
We pretty much all have been forced to get smart meters for gas which there should be no estimates they should know the exact amount used. Our electric is not a smart meter and the do estimate every other month.
We were out of town 3 months our gas bills stayed as if we were home.go figure they have to idea why

BufordNgoleta Jan 28, 2023 07:19 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

SACJON: at least using Natural gas does the job w/o reliance on the weather, and won't destroy the remaining beauty this state has to solar and wind farms. Or do you find those more attractive? Seems to me the anti oil people could not tolerate the sight of the few rigs in the channel.

sacjon Jan 28, 2023 10:41 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

BUFORD - I'd rather see a low pollution, non environmentally devastating wind farm than a bunch of dirty oil derricks in the desert.

Minibeast Jan 28, 2023 04:54 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Wind farms won't be "non environmentally devastating" until the "incidental" bird kill problem is solved.

a-1674957089 Jan 28, 2023 05:51 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

4:54 - You say that despite the fact that carbon fuel mining/production/spills/effects kill far more birds that wind turbines ever will? And the fact that mitigations like painting the rotors/hubs and adding dazzlers and whistles to the rotors greatly reduce their interactions with birds? Get facts, not carbon propaganda.

Voice of Reason Jan 29, 2023 10:24 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

@5:51 how many metric tons of earth needs to be extracted and processed to create enough of the materials needed to make solar panels for a home, the electric car battery in the garage, vs. a years supply of natural gas for that same house?

a-1675017910 Jan 29, 2023 10:45 AM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

Not as much as coal or tar sands. But, you knew that. Spread that FUD!

Voice of Reason Jan 29, 2023 12:38 PM
So Cal Gas Bill Increase?

There is no FUD, coal is close but probably less because they can extract pure coal without having to heavily process it. I’ve said many times we need to cut coal before we reduce Nat gas. More than half of our C02 production has been realized by switching from coal to nag gas power production - nat gas has been instrumental in achieving the C02 reductions we’ve achieved, that is FACT not FUD.

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