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Fast Facts About Natural Gas
The Big Picture
- Like the price you pay at the pump for gasoline, the price of natural gas moves up and down based on many factors, including weather conditions, global conflicts in the Middle East and basic supply and demand.
- However, unlike your local filling station, Ameren does not add a single penny to the wholesale price we pay for natural gas. That cost is passed on to you dollar-for-dollar—with no markup by Ameren.
- Wholesale natural gas prices started to trend downward earlier this summer, only to shoot up again as more gas-fired power plants went online to meet electricity demand during a heat wave.
- While it is difficult to predict exactly what will happen with natural gas prices this winter, prices could rise again over last year’s costs. Colder than normal weather could increase bills even more due to higher consumption.
What We’re Doing to Help You
- Ameren companies use a range of financial tools, negotiate long- and short-term gas supply contracts, diversify interstate pipeline transportation, and utilize extensive underground storage resources to dampen price volatility and ensure reliable supply for our customers.
- Ameren offers Dollar More/Warm Neighbors (AmerenIP customers) energy assistance programs to help customers in need. In addition, the federal Low Income Heating Energy Assistance Program is available to eligible customers. With the passage of the Federal Energy Policy Act, this program’s funding has been increased.
- Contact us if you are having trouble paying your Ameren bill—or fear you might have trouble paying your Ameren bill—we can help.
What You Can Do
Did You Know …?
- Approximately three-fourths of a residential customer’s bill is the cost of natural gas from our suppliers, while only a one-fourth goes to Ameren to pay for the operation and construction of our gas distribution systems.
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