Rising wholesale gas prices are causing Greenville Utilities to adjust natural gas rates for its customers, effective July 1. "For the past 12 months, market futures prices have been averaging higher and higher," said Freddie Martin, Natural Gas Supply Officer. "We were able to hold our rates steady while prices continued along this trend, but since those costs are not predicted to go back down soon, we have to adjust our rates."

As a result, a typical summer-time residential natural gas customer using 25 ccf (hundred cubic feet) will see an increase of approximately $1.59 on their GUC bill.

"GUC does not profit from fluctuations in gas costs," said Anthony Miller, Director of Gas Systems. "All costs associated with increases or decreases in the commodity price of natural gas are normally passed along to customers on a dollar-for-dollar basis. In other words, we periodically 'track' the rate adjustments to our customers."

GUC wants to remind customers that outdoor temperatures affect home energy use more than any other single factor. "The rate is just one component of the total bill," said Miller. "Usage is another, and customers can make a big difference by controlling the amount of energy they use."

GUC offers tips and videos on how customers can reduce their bills and home energy usage. For more details, visit guc.com or call the GUC Energy Services office at 551-1521.