New Orleans city leaders are pressing representatives from Delta Utilities about the rising natural gas bills affecting some residents. The company recently took over as the city’s gas provider from Entergy. The meeting focused on the utilities and the significant increase in gas rates that customers have experienced.Delta Utilities attributes the high rates to increased natural gas usage during winter and the rising market price of natural gas. They also said that under Entergy, energy and gas were bundled into one bill, whereas now, customers are more aware of monthly billing differences. Delta suggests that customers could opt for levelized billing, which would spread costs evenly throughout the year, avoiding seasonal spikes.Council members said residents who were on levelized pricing under Entergy should have automatically continued with levelized billing under Delta. “Now you have a totally new situation for them, and I will submit to you that part of the reason that you’re here today under criticism is because of exactly what we’re seeing, the spike in bills that people weren’t prepared for,” said Councilman Eugene Green. Delta representatives said levelized billing should be a choice for the customer, and not a decision made by the utility. During the public comment period, residents voiced their concerns about the issue.
New Orleans city leaders are pressing representatives from Delta Utilities about the rising natural gas bills affecting some residents.
The company recently took over as the city’s gas provider from Entergy.
The meeting focused on the utilities and the significant increase in gas rates that customers have experienced.
Delta Utilities attributes the high rates to increased natural gas usage during winter and the rising market price of natural gas.
They also said that under Entergy, energy and gas were bundled into one bill, whereas now, customers are more aware of monthly billing differences.
Delta suggests that customers could opt for levelized billing, which would spread costs evenly throughout the year, avoiding seasonal spikes.
Council members said residents who were on levelized pricing under Entergy should have automatically continued with levelized billing under Delta.
“Now you have a totally new situation for them, and I will submit to you that part of the reason that you’re here today under criticism is because of exactly what we’re seeing, the spike in bills that people weren’t prepared for,” said Councilman Eugene Green.
Delta representatives said levelized billing should be a choice for the customer, and not a decision made by the utility.
During the public comment period, residents voiced their concerns about the issue.