Cost of natural gas to decrease

If you get your natural gas from National Fuel, your monthly gas bill is about to do down.

National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. (National Fuel) has submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission its quarterly adjustment to gas supply charges to become effective today. This adjustment decreases the monthly bill of a typical residential customer with annual usage of 102,800 cubic feet of gas by $11.17, from $108.36 to $97.19.

The rate adjustment is primarily due to lower market prices for natural gas, which have decreased the cost of natural gas supplies that National Fuel purchases for customers, according to a press release from National Fuel.

Gas supply costs are passed along to customers dollar for dollar, with no mark-up or profit to National Fuel. Pennsylvania utility companies are permitted to update gas supply charges on a quarterly basis to reflect changes in the market price of natural gas. The next opportunity to adjust gas supply charges will be May 1.

National Fuel's price-to-compare gas commodity charge also will decrease to $0.75471 per 100 cubic feet (ccf). This reference point, detailed on the National Fuel bill under Gas Supply Charges, is important for customers who are shopping for an alternate gas supplier, according to the press release.

National Fuel customers who are having trouble paying their bills are encouraged to call 1-800- 365-3234.