PG&E wants to hear from you

To the Editor:

We are hearing from our customers in the Ukiah area that their PG&E bills are higher than normal. We understand any increase can be challenging. We are taking action and here to help.

Natural gas prices have gone up significantly, about 90 percent higher than last winter in PG&E'S service area. This is happening nationwide, and globally it's even higher, about 400 percent. PG&E passes through the cost of energy purchases directly to our customers and does not markup that cost. What we pay for our customers' energy supply, both natural gas and electricity, we pass through directly to customers.

Higher natural gas costs combined with lower-thannormal temperatures in some areas are causing folks to crank up their heaters, resulting in an increase in monthly energy bills.

PG&E works to reduce gas price volatility impacts by buying and storing gas when prices are lower for use when prices are higher and maintaining access to lower-cost gas in gas production basins.

Customers can help cut costs, too. More than 70 percent of winter energy costs are from the heating system, water heater, and washer/ dryer. A few ways to save:

Set the thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, health permitting, save 2 percent for each degree the thermostat is lowered.

Clean or replace air filters monthly, and keep warm air moving by reversing ceiling fans to force warm air into living spaces.

Set the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees or lower; install low-flow fixtures to use less water (or take shorter showers); wash clothes in cold water.

As the weather warms up, usually during March and April, energy usage and bills should decrease. For more info, visit www.pge.com/winter.

Thank you for your feedback,

— Ron Richardson, Ukiah resident and Regional Vice President, PG&E North Coast