9/01/2010 - Board Reduces Natural Gas Rates

Effective September 1, 2010, natural gas rates for residents and commercial customers will be reduced by approximately 16%, according to General Manager Stan Little. The action was taken by the Board of Public Utilities at it's monthly meeting on Wednesday August 25th and will be effective with meter readings on and after September 1st. The $2.00 per MCF reduction should save residential customers on the average from $16.00 to $40.00 per month depending on usage.

"Although much of the gas for this winter was already under contract, the department has been able to purchase some additional amounts at the current lower prices and pass this savings on to our customers," Little said. He also said that the department has already taken advantage of the sluggish economy and secured several gas contracts for the coming year at much more affordable prices. "Our customers will benefit from these actions when those contracts become effective." Little said.

Customers are urged to contact the Humboldt Utilities regarding LEVELIZED BILLING PROGRAM. This program is an improved version of the old Budget Billing Program and helps customers avoid drastic changes in utility bill in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. It makes monthly utilities much more predictable and manageable, according to the department.

The Levelized Billing Program is different from the budget billing in that it is based on a rolling twelve month average. It recalculates each month with vary slight variations up or down, so there is no annual tune-up and monthly variations are very slight, up or down. "With no monthly surprise and no annual tune-up, this program can be a tremendous benefit to customers by helping the manage their monthly utility bills," Little said.

Please contact Humboldt Utilities at 784-9212 for additional information about Levelized Billing.