How to read your energy bill Households paying utility bills won't suffer alone. Farms and factories that define the Midwest will pay higher fuel costs, too. All of which should come as no surprise. This winter's frigid weather made those dire forecasts a reality as homeowners turned up the heat and industry made a run on diminished gas supplies. It's a nationwide problem.
Analysts are quick to point out that there is no natural gas shortage.
But supplies are tight. The rate reflects the utility's actual cost, plus taxes and adjustments, to buy gas from suppliers. The cost can be passed on to consumers once it's approved by state regulators such as the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. It's very painful. I hate personally seeing prices this high.