Ameren Missouri residential and business customers will pay lower rates for natural gas compared to last winter under a new Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA). The lower rates, approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC), are the result of lower wholesale costs. The new PGA becomes effective Nov. 1 for Ameren Missouri’s 127,000 gas customers.
This season, Ameren Missouri customers in Columbia, Jefferson City, Mexico, Wentzville, Cape Girardeau and Marble Hill are expected to pay an average of $0.67 per one hundred cubic feet (Ccf) of natural gas, which includes the cost of interstate transportation, leased storage, and the natural gas commodity. During the 2011-12 heating season, those customers paid an average of $0.75 per Ccf. Similarly, customers in the Rolla service area are expected to pay an average of $0.83 per Ccf, which is down from last season’s average of $0.89 per Ccf.
Monthly bills are based on the actual amount of natural gas used by a customer.
The PGA reflects the wholesale cost of natural gas, plus the cost of transporting gas to the company’s system. The cost reduction is passed on to the customers – dollar for dollar – through the PGA without a markup in price. Wholesale gas prices aren’t regulated and an increase or decrease is based on market conditions of supply and demand. Since the wholesale costs change daily – while the PGA doesn’t – the PGA also includes an adjustment to compensate for under- or over-collection of actual costs in previous periods.
“Although natural gas prices were higher last year, our customers' total heating season bills were lower than normal because the 2011-12 heating season was uncharacteristically mild,” said Jim Massmann, Ameren Missouri’s Gas Supply manager. “Even with the lower natural gas rates this winter, the return of normal winter weather may result in higher overall winter heating season bills as compared to last winter.”
Massmann also noted that Ameren Missouri has secured adequate natural gas supplies to meet customers' needs during the upcoming heating season. A significant portion of the gas supply costs are hedged or price protected to insulate customers from market price volatility.
Ameren Missouri reminds customers that they can reduce their natural gas usage by installing more efficient natural gas equipment. Through Dec. 31, 2012, Ameren Missouri is offering rebates for a variety of natural gas appliances. Visit ActOnEnergy.com for details and information about rebates for natural gas furnaces and boilers.
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Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than a century, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. We serve 1.2 million electric and 127,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our mission is to meet their energy needs in a safe, reliable, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Our service area covers 63 counties and more than 500 towns, including the greater St. Louis area. For more information, visit AmerenMissouri.com.
CONTACT: Missouri Communications, 314.554.2182, missouricommunications@ameren.com