By DAYNA DRUM | Reporter
Los Angeles City Councilmembers Mike Bonin and Mitch Englander introduced legislation last week calling for an investigation into what many Palisadians and Angelenos say are surprisingly high gas bills.
The Southern California Gas Company, however, is pointing blame at the weather.
Some residents are saying they’re seeing four to 10 times their normal gas bill, even compared to the winter months of previous years.
However, SoCal Gas spokeswoman Melissa Bailey explained November and December 2015 were the coldest this area has experienced since 2011.
“During cold weather, customers use about three to seven times more natural gas than in other months,” Bailey told the Palisadian-Post.
Heating can account for more than half of a customer’s gas bill, and water heating another quarter of that. Customers don’t always realize how much they are using, Bailey said.
Pacific Palisades isn’t the only area experiencing a surge on its bills. Customers across Los Angeles have noticed the spike in charges.
Bailey said the company has been receiving a number of complaints from customers about higher bills.
Another cause for concern on some Palisadians’ bills is that the amount due is titled an “estimation” instead of a reading. The gas company has been implementing Advanced Meters which digitally send gas-usage readings to the service center, rather than requiring a manual reading.
If a customer’s gas bill is called an estimation that means an Advanced Meter has not been installed at that home yet and a meter reader has been unable to access the meter, Bailey explained. The spokeswoman recommended customers in this situation call SoCal Gas customer service to schedule a meter reading.
Last week, SoCal Gas workers were seen throughout the Palisades installing the new Advanced Meters.
Bailey pointed out that the company does not set the price of natural gas and the California Public Utilities Commission approves any rate changes. An increase was approved by the CPUC this year, and the average consumer might see a 3 percent increase.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, natural gas prices actually have a tendency to dip in November and December.
In November 2015, the price of natural gas delivered to residential customers in California was $10.31 per thousand cubic feet compared to the previous month’s price of $11.53.
In November and December 2014, the prices were $11.04 and $11.27 compared to October’s $12.32. The same chart also shows that natural gas prices for 2015 as a whole were less than 2014.
SoCal Gas is also battling a large gas leak in the San Fernando Valley that began in October last year.
The leak has caused thousands to evacuate their homes and some are now facing health problems as a result. The company predicts the leak to be closed by the end of this month or even March.
On Feb. 2, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed criminal misdemeanor charges against SoCal Gas.
“This absolutely has nothing to do with the leak,” Bailey said, when asked if bill surges could be linked to the environmental crisis.
The company has put together a list of tips to cut down on energy costs, which can be found at socalgas.com/save-money-and-energy.
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