Gas delivery hike makes weatherization even more important

The price for delivering natural gas to your home is going up $5 a month, at least temporarily, but that's nothing compared to how much your gas bill will go up if you're a large commercial customer.

SourceGas, which charges for delivering gas sold by several other companies as well as itself, will start charging "interim rates" for gas service Thursday while it awaits a decision by the Nebraska Public Cervice Commission on a permanent rate.

Residential customers will begin paying $15.44 instead of the $10.44 they now pay to have the pipeline deliver gas to their home. The same goes for small commercial customers, who will pay $17.44 instead of $12.44.

Large commercial customers, however, will see their current rate of $22.44 rise to $110.44.

Public Service Commissioner Jerry Vap of McCook noted that the bills will be prorated so that customers won't pay the higher rate for usage that occurred before the interim rates go into effect.

A Public Advocate attorney will represent the customers before the PSC, and the commission also expects to hold town hall meetings in SourceGas' service area, including McCook, Holdrege, Scottsbluff and Wood River.

It's possible the company won't get the entire raise it is asking for, but we're betting on higher bills after all is said and done.

Regardless the cost of the gas or the price of delivering it, there's no reason to pay more for heating our homes than we need to this winter. Now is a good time to make sure our houses are ready for cold weather.

ACE -- the Public Alliance for Community Energy, offers these reminders for making our homes as energy efficient as possible:

* Inspect windows and doors for drafts and apply/replace caulk to insulate and repair cracks in walls and around doors and windows;

* Set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature and dress in layers. Lower it a few degrees before leaving the house or going to bed. If possible, use a programmable thermostat to automatically control your home's temperature;

* Seal leaks in furnace air ducts;

* Change or clean air filters monthly;

* Keep window blinds, shades and draperies open during the day to allow sunlight to warm your home. Close them at night for added insulation;

* Set ceiling fans to run clockwise, drawing air up and keeping warm air circulating;

* Lower your natural gas water heater to 115 or 120 degrees.