Most major Illinois gas utilities are again increasing their prices, the aftershock of the extreme cold that hit the nation back in February. Even though temperatures are now warming up and consumers are using less natural gas, it is still important to factor these high prices into your usage.
A few utilities lowered prices, but most natural gas customers will see their prices go up again in June. The price per therm you’ll pay for natural gas in June, also known as the Purchased Gas Adjustment, or PGA, is shown in the chart below. It includes PGAs from this month, last month and June 2020 for comparison. Hover your mouse over the graphic to show prices.
Mount Carmel, a small public utility located in southeastern Illinois, had the largest increase, about 11 cents, from last month’s 21.83 cents per therm. The current rate of 32.2 cents is double last June’s price.
Although it had the greatest increase from last month, Mount Carmel’s price is less than half the supply rates charged by Ameren and MidAmerican. MidAmeren’s 68.97 cents is almost two cents higher than their May rate and 126 percent higher than its June 2020 rate. Ameren’s rate of 65.31 cents per therm is a slight decrease from last month but still the second highest rate of the utilities.
Liberty Utilities customers will also see a slight decrease in their rates, from 63.6 cents per therm to 61.66 cents.
Most utilities raised their rates. Consumers Gas went up nearly 4 cents to 42.96 cents per therm. North Shore and Peoples Gas customers will also see rate increases, to 47.25 cents and 57.7 cents respectively.
The price per therm for Nicor Gas held constant for the third month in a row at 53 cents.
For Nicor, North Shore and Peoples, these are the highest gas prices since the polar vortex of 2014. The high prices this year are the lingering effects of record-low temperatures that hit parts of the United States in February, disrupting gas supply across the nation and causing deadly power outages in Texas.
Although summer temperatures are upon us, it is still important to be prudent with your natural gas usage. Visit CUB’s Gas page for more information on energy efficiency and tips to help you save on your bills.
Nicor and Peoples Gas customers should pick up their bills to see if they are overpaying with an alternative supplier. If you do have a supplier and you’re overpaying, call the company and ask to cancel the offer and go back to the utility. (Call CUB’s Consumer Hotline, if you have any questions: 1-800-669-5556.)
And if you’re having trouble paying your bills, please contact your utility immediately. Consumer protections are in place to help consumers pay their bills and avoid disconnection. (Read our fact sheets in English and Spanish.)
