EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso residents said they were caught off guard after opening their latest gas bills, which were far higher than what they had been paying in recent months, with some customers reporting totals that nearly doubled.<\/p>\n
Several customers said they did not receive notice of a new increase. <\/p>\n
After looking more closely at their statements, some said they noticed specific charges that appeared to jump sharply.<\/p>\n
Karla Urias Couder said one line item stood out. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere’s a particular charge, a delivery charge. The delivery charge all of a sudden jumped up from $1 or $2, $3 to a $28 charge. And somehow the customer charge jumped up to $35,\u201d Couder said. \u201cWe noticed this month that the gas bill was ridiculously expensive. It went from between $50 and $60 to almost double that price at $132.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other residents described similar spikes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI opened my bill, and it was over $180. It was a true shock, because before it had been as low as $20, $30.\u201d Lynn said, \u201cI usually pay around $80 every month. But this past month, it was like $200.\u201d<\/p>\n
Several residents said they called to ask why their bills were higher.<\/p>\n
Destiny Venecia reports on increase gas bill<\/p>\n
They said they were told the higher totals could be related to winter usage, but questioned whether seasonal demand alone would explain such a sharp jump.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I call them, they say it’s due to the winter. And I was like, okay, but more than double? It doesn’t make sense,\u201d Lynn said.<\/p>\n
Couder said the higher bills are adding pressure for families trying to manage everyday expenses.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are day-to-day like pinching pennies. It’s harder to buy the food that we need, harder to buy the gasoline that we need to drive to work,\u201d Couder said.<\/p>\n
Texas Gas Service said the increase is based on higher winter usage, rising gas costs, and a recent rate design update. <\/p>\n
The utility encouraged customers to call about payment or assistance options.<\/p>\n
As far as is known, the bill spikes do not appear to be connected to the rate increase that has been previously reported on.<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: Texas regulators approve El Paso Electric rate increase, raising bills for residents<\/a><\/p>\n Energy-saving tips for both winter and summer are available at TexasGasService.com\/energytips<\/a>. <\/p>\n The utility\u2019s low- or no-cost winter tips include sealing leaks around doors and windows with weather-stripping or caulk, covering windows with towels, sheets or plastic if needed, sealing air leaks in unfinished basements, changing or cleaning filters, installing foam gaskets on switches and outlets, and reversing ceiling fans to a clockwise rotation to push warm air downward.<\/p>\n