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Newsom orders probe into high natural gas prices

Natural gas prices shot up due to an early winter in the western states, but it “does not explain the extent and longevity of the price spike,” Gov. Gavin Newsom […]

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Natural gas prices shot up due to an early winter in the western states, but it “does not explain the extent and longevity of the price spike,” Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed in a letter this week to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. “I therefore ask that FERC immediately focus its investigatory resources on assessing whether market manipulation, anti-competitive behavior, or other anomalous activities are driving these ongoing elevated prices in the western gas markets.”

In order to provide Californians with relief sooner, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to accelerate the California Climate Credit. The credit will add $90-$120 credits to unusually high utility bills in March instead of April.

“Millions of California families are opening their utility bills to sticker shock — and we’re taking action now to provide relief to help with those high gas bills,” Newsom said in a press release.

“We know this provides only temporary relief from soaring bills. That’s why I’m asking the federal government to use its full authority to investigate the spike in natural gas prices and take any necessary enforcement actions. We’re going to get to the bottom of this because Californians deserve to know what’s behind these exorbitant bills,” he said.

The procurement rate is up 82.8% in February 2023 compared to February 2022, according to SoCalGas.

Californians who use Pacific Gas and Electricity, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Southern California Gas Company will receive the accelerated credit. Californians who use Bear Valley, Liberty, PacifiCorp, and Southwest Gas will also receive an accelerated credit of varying amounts, according to the release.

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