It Could Be a Cold, Expensive Winter for Utility Customers

An estimated 1 in 6 American households, or roughly 20 million U.S. households, are already behind on their utility bills after a scorching summer and before the cold winter has begun. In addition, the U.S. Energy Information Administration says natural gas prices are expected to jump 28% this winter, perpetuating the crisis.

Prices are going up for pretty much everything, but if people can’t heat their homes, safety and health issues come into play. For example, the report states that California’s PG&E Corp. saw a more than 40% jump in the number of residential customers behind on payments since February 2020. Across the country, New Jersey’s Public Service Enterprise Group saw an extra 30% of customers who were at least 90 days late.

“People are going to be looking at big increases,” Mark Wolfe, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association executive director, told The New York Times. Wolfe’s organization projects that heating costs will rise 12% nationally, outpacing inflation.

Temperatures drop, but prices rise

New York City utility provider Con Edison projected that a typical customer’s electric bill in its territory would increase 22% this year, averaging $116 a month compared to $95 a month last winter. In addition, Con Edison predicts a 32% jump, to $460 a month, from $348 a month last winter for its customers who use natural gas for heating and cooking.

“We recognize it’s a hardship,” said Jamie McShane, a Con Edison spokesman.

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