New Orleans residents can expect their natural gas bills to rise again this month. Increased fuel costs, which have seen a 160% rise since September, and higher consumption due to colder weather are the culprits according to Delta Utilities officials, as reported by WWLTV. The separate billing of gas and electric by Delta Utilities, unlike the previous bundled bills under Entergy New Orleans, has drawn the ire of consumers for lack of clarity in billing structures and higher visibility of gas costs.
Amid resident complaints, New Orleans City Council members have grilled the utility about the recent surge in bills and the transition woes experienced by consumers. Besides the sticker shock from the increased rates, it seems that a number of former Entergy customers had not been automatically transferred to Delta's levelized billing program, leaving them unprepared for the financial impact. During the City Council meeting, Councilman Eugene Green spoke out on the matter, stating, "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," as WDSU recounted.
Gas bills this month will reflect a noticeable rise due to the higher cost of fuel necessitated by unusual winter weather. Delta Utilities's CEO, Timothy J. Poché, stated to the NOLA.com that the price set on February 1 was indeed higher than that of January 1. Council Vice President Matthew Willard urged better communication from the utility to its customers regarding the billing process, emphasizing, "People are confused about the bill," as he expressed his concerns over the transparency.
Delta Utilities also offered levelized billing as a means to manage costs evenly throughout the year, which could help prevent seasonal spikes. However, not all customers are aware of this option. "The most frustrating part is because of the increase of billing; my bill went from 30-something dollars in two months to 120-something dollars," Lydwina Hurst, a resident on a fixed income, lamented to WWLTV. In response to this transition issue and the subsequent public outcry, Council President JP Morrell has called for Delta to promote levelized billing more aggressively.
Furthermore, Delta Utilities has partnered with United Way to offer financial assistance programs to those struggling with their utility bills, providing a potential safety net for customers during this period of higher charges. This collaboration signifies an effort to address and alleviate the financial stress faced by numerous New Orleans residents during the colder season.
