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November natural gas rates trending up

November gas prices are more expensive this month than last, with the exception of Nicor Gas. 

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has anticipated an uptick. Last month, the organization predicted that natural gas bills across the Midwest could be about 8 percent higher than last winter. Over the winter season, EIA predicts the region’s gas-heating consumers will spend about $550 to heat their homes.

The price per therm you’re paying for natural gas in October, also known as the Purchased Gas Adjustment, or PGA, is shown in the chart below. It includes PGAs from this month, last month and October 2019 for comparison. Hover your mouse over the graphic to show prices.

While Nicor Gas remained constant from last month, with a rate of 28 cents per therm, MidAmerican had the largest rate increase, from about 32 cents last month to 36.21 cents this month. That’s an increase of nearly 13 percent.

Peoples Gas went up about 3.5 cents to 27.95 cents per therm. North Shore Gas had a similar increase, to 38.74 cents, which is also the highest rate for November. Nicor has the lowest rate.

Ameren’s rate made a 2-cent jump, up to 33.38 cents per therm. This is about a cent lower than the utility’s rate last November.

MidAmerican, North Shore, and Nicor all have higher rates than the same month last year — with North Shore and MidAmerican reflecting increases from last November of about 6 cents. Like Ameren, Peoples Gas reflects a decrease from 2019, albeit small — about a quarter of a cent.

Reminder: You cannot switch to another utility. Utility service territories are geographic: Your utility is determined by where you live. Nicor, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas can switch to alternative suppliers, but that market has been plagued by bad deals and rip-offs. The regulated utility prices, listed in this article, are probably your best bet.