David Hicks Sr. of Greenwood says he's ready to sell the two gas lights that adorn his yard after opening his bill from Mississippi Valley Gas Co. Wednesday.
"I'll sell them for $1.95 each, and will give a $10 cash bonus to pick them up before dark," the retired truck broker joked.
Hicks' bill to heat his three-bedroom, three-bath home skyrocketed to $726.03, up fivefold from the $129.15 he paid the month before.
He is not alone. Supply problems and pipeline distribution regulations have contributed to price increases for all natural-gas users, including customers of Mississippi Valley Gas Co.
The market price rose from $2.70 per 1,000 cubic feet in May to $9.60 in late December.
Apparently, however, customers will be given some leeway in payment.
The Mississippi Public Service Commission has asked gas companies to refrain from disconnecting the service of customers who make a good-faith effort to pay their bills.
Customers having problems paying the full amount should contact the gas provider and try to arrange a payment plan, said Public Service Commissioner Michael Callahan.
Callahan said Wednesday in a written release that the commission recognizes the hardship placed on families by the higher prices.
And many customers are frustrated by the high numbers.
According to Hicks' billing statement, his usage from early December to early January jumped fourfold from the previous month. It was more than double what he used during the same time period last year.
Hicks says he can't afford that kind of bill and wonders how residents in worse financial shape can.
"People just can't pay these gas bills. There's no way," he said.
Joe Seawright said his bill increased from $133 in November to $512 in December.
However, he said, from talking to his neighbors in the Poplar Avenue area, "I probably should consider myself lucky." Some of them had bills over $700, he said.
Seawright said his gas usage was up about 80 percent from November to December just because of the cold weather. However, he said he made an effort to conserve, keeping his thermostat at 70 or below.
He said he feels the gas company "didn't fight very hard for its customers" when the suppliers announced the price increase.
Mississippi Valley Gas Co. officials were unavailable for comment this morning.
Jack Ditto of Greenwood said his December bill jumped to more than $400, more than three times the November charge. He said the bill rose more than he expected, although he knew there would be some increase because of the cold temperatures.
To contact the Public Service Commission, call 1-800-356-6428.
