LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Customers were expecting to see a 33% increase in their monthly LG&E bills this winter. When the bills came, they saw that increase, but one says it was more than they expected.
Contrainera Jenkins showed WHAS11 News her gas bill was $77 in November. It rose to $172 in December.
That's more than double what she was expecting. She already works two jobs to pay for her rent and bills.
"Well that means I'll have to work a whole lot harder at the second job and take an extra hour or two if I need to to make sure that all of my bills are met," said Jenkins.
Media Relations Manager for LG&E and KU Liz Pratt said weather and energy-use habits play major roles in monthly bills.
Pratt said demand for gas was low in 2020 due to the pandemic, therefore prices were low. Now that economic activity has increased, so too have natural gas prices.
She said what LG&E charges for gas is what they pay to purchase and there's no mark-up.
However, she said, "We expect the price outlook to improve in the upcoming quarter (February through April) and are requesting to pass along those lower costs for our customers."
Financial assistance can be found here.
Other tips to help conserve energy
- Adjust the thermostat appropriately
- Seal leaks around doors and windows
- Ensure the heating system is working properly
Home heating assistance
U.S. Representative John Yarmuth says Kentucky will receive more than double its annual investment to help families afford energy costs. Yarmuth says more than $113 million in funding was secured for Kentucky through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program in the American Rescue Plan and annual appropriations process. The investment will help families struggling with home heating costs, the Associated Press is reporting.
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