As the temperature has plummeted this winter, natural gas bills have risen for many Greenwood-area residents in their attempts to stay warm.
“It’s really demand that drives the bills, how much gas you use,” said Robert Lesley, director of public affairs for the Mississippi Division of Atmos Energy. “This is the coldest January we’ve had in years. When people compare last winter to this winter, there’s a big difference,.”
The financial impact of the polar vortex, which this week brought bone-chilling temperatures and icy precipitation as far south as the Gulf Coast, has been felt throughout much of the nation. USA Today reported that demand for residential and commercial natural gas has already reached the second highest total on record.
According to the newspaper, as of Tuesday, January had set seven of the top 10 all-time demand days for natural gas.
The federal Energy Information Administration estimates that a 10 percent colder-than-forecast winter could boost home heating bills by as much as 25 percent.
Lesley said that all consumers need to be mindful of their gas use during this peak time, and if they get into a financial pinch as a result of higher-than-normal bills, to contact Atmos right away.
“The most important thing for people to know is they need to call us early. Call our Contact Center as soon as possible, so they can work with them,” he said.
Lesley said requests for assistance with paying bills have been up since December.
Help is available for low-income residents through the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which is administered locally by Central Mississippi Inc. Central Mississippi’s Greenwood office can be reached at 455-3497.
In addition, Lesley said, an Atmos-sponsored program, “Share the Warmth,” which is funded through a combination of customer donations and company matching funds, is also available for residents who qualify.
While CMI does have some “Share the Warmth” funds, the bulk of the program is handled through the Greenwood Salvation Army office. The Salvation Army can be reached at 453-3234.
Another option for customers with good credit is levelized billing, where a home’s heating bill is billed out in equal installments over a 12-month period.
“In Mississippi, you know you’re not going to use a whole lot of gas in the summer,” Lesley said.
Although bills will be higher in the summer months, it will pay off in the winter, he said.
For more tips on conserving energy, the gas company has several on its website at www.atmosenergy.com.
