Ameren Illinois’ natural gas rates went up more than 3.5 cents per therm from last month, while MidAmerican Energy customers saw their rates fall about 5 cents. Gas utilities Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas prices fell about a penny, and Nicor Gas increased by a penny.
The price per therm you’re paying for natural gas in December, also known as the Purchased Gas Adjustment, or PGA, is shown in the chart below. It includes PGAs from this month, last month and December 2019 for comparison. Hover your mouse over the graphic to show prices.
Ameren’s current rate — about 37 cents per therm — is a penny and a half more expensive than the same month last year. North Shore Gas also had a big leap in price from last December — from 33.33 cents per therm in 2019 to 37.52 cents this year.
Peoples Gas is the only utility that saw a drop in price from December 2019, falling about 2.5 cents to 26.91 cents per therm.
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 customers 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.
