Ratepayers feel the strain

Utility bills are higher so far this winter because of a combination of cold weather, increased usage and higher natural gas prices. Assistance programs can help those who qualify.

By

News

February 1, 2023 - 2:41 PM

Photo by PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY RICHARD LUKEN VIA FLATICON.COM AND PIXABAY.COM

If it seems like your utility bill has been higher than normal this winter, you’re right.

“I did see a lot of the bills going out this past month and it concerned me. They did seem to go up quite a bit,” Roxanne Hutton, Iola city clerk, said. 

Hutton cited a trio of factors over the past couple of months that created a perfect storm for higher utility bills: cold weather, increased usage and higher natural gas prices.

The recent bills included the holidays, which can result in higher consumption for a couple of reasons. First, families gather together or children return home to visit, increasing the amount of utilities used. Also, because of time off for holidays, meter reading may have been delayed, which means some bills may include more days than usual, Hutton said.

Related
October 19, 2021
February 26, 2021
February 15, 2021
January 30, 2014