Your base charge will vary from that of your neighbors or friends as it is set by your individual demand for gas over a year's period. The more gas you use, the more you pay for the base charge. The companies DO NOT compete on price on base charge. Remember, it should be about the same with all companies. The big price choice you make is for the gas itself.
Gas is measured by something known as therms .
There are three pricing formulas in the market right now. The price per therm floats with a different price each month. The price per therm is fixed with the same price each month for a year or more. In this example, the company is taking the risk that the price of gas rises over time, but they are stuck providing it to you at the guaranteed price. Also, you get stuck paying too much if the price drops below the fixed level.