{"id":43426,"date":"2025-08-01T17:02:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T22:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/?p=43426"},"modified":"2025-08-01T17:02:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T22:02:43","slug":"cubs-aug-report-on-gas-market-volatility","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/08\/01\/cubs-aug-report-on-gas-market-volatility\/","title":{"rendered":"CUB\u2019s report on gas-market volatility: August"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Gas-Blog-Photo.png\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-38363\" src=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Gas-Blog-Photo-300x225.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Gas-Blog-Photo-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Gas-Blog-Photo.png 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas prices for seven of Illinois&#8217; 9 major utilities remained elevated compared with a year ago, led by Liberty Utilities, which is charging a supply price that is about 208 percent higher; Nicor Gas, which is charging a price about 44 percent higher; and Peoples Gas, with a price about 16 percent higher. According to CUB\u2019s monthly review of gas prices, only two utilities were charging less than last August: Ameren Gas (12.9 percent) and Consumers Gas (19.1 percent).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eia.gov\/outlooks\/steo\/report\/natgas.php\">Energy Information Administration\u2019s Short-term Energy Outlook<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has forecasted that prices could be elevated into 2026. Colder-than-normal winter weather in the early part of the year as well as<\/span> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/rrapier\/2025\/03\/02\/why-natural-gas-prices-are-surging-weather-supply-and-global-demand\/\">record gas exports <\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(meaning profit-hungry companies sending gas outside the U.S.) have helped increase demand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The impact of elevated prices is less now, but consumers could be in for a more expensive winter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas utilities file supply prices\u2013called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)\u2013each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here\u2019s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in August.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compared with <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/06\/27\/cubs-july-report-on-gas-market-volatility\/\">last month<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, seven utilities charged lower rates: Ameren Illinois (about 5.4 percent lower), Consumers Gas (about 21.4 percent), Illinois Gas (about 9.7 percent lower, MidAmerican (2.7 percent), Nicor Gas (3.7 percent), Peoples Gas (12.7 percent) and North Shore Gas (15.4 percent). Two charged prices that were higher: Liberty Utilities (30.5 percent) and Mt. Carmel (about 1 percent).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compared with August 2024, this month\u2019s prices were higher for seven utilities, ranging from about 7 percent higher for Illinois Gas to about 208 percent higher for Liberty Utilities. Only two utilities were less than last August: Ameren Gas (12.9 percent) and Consumers Gas (19.1percent).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>August Gas Prices<\/strong> <b><br \/>\n<\/b><strong>Ameren Illinois<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>42.70 cents per therm (DOWN about 12.9 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Consumers Gas<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>54.37 cents per therm (DOWN about 19.1 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Illinois Gas<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>51.27 cents per therm (UP about 7 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Liberty Utilities<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>66.90 cents per therm (UP about 208\u00a0 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>MidAmerican Energy<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>57.29 cents per therm (UP about 45.7 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Mt. Carmel<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>39.68 cents per therm (UP about 13.2 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Nicor Gas<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>52.00 cents per therm (UP about 44.4 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>North Shore Gas<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>35.94 cents per therm (UP about 14.4 percent from August 2024)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><strong>Peoples Gas<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>\u2013<\/strong>43.15 cents per therm (UP about 16.3 percent from August 2024)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Your utility is determined by where you live, so you cannot switch from one utility to another. Under Illinois law, gas utilities are not allowed to profit off supply prices\u2014they pass those costs from gas producers and marketers onto customers with no markup. State regulators annually review the utilities\u2019 gas-management procedures to evaluate whether the companies did a reasonable job with their gas purchases, given market conditions, to hold down costs for consumers as much as possible. Regulators can order refunds, although that is rare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few tips from CUB:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Keep the lines of communication open with your utility.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If you are having trouble affording your gas bills, it is vital that you contact your utility. Ask if you qualify for any energy assistance programs; see if you can set up a plan that gives you more time to pay off your bills; and inquire about no or low-cost energy efficiency programs the company offers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Practice energy efficiency. <\/strong>For tips and information about helpful energy efficiency programs offered by your utility, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/clean-energy\/\"><strong>CUB\u2019s Clean Energy page.<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Beware of alternative supplier rip-offs.<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If a deal seems too good to be true, there\u2019s a good chance it is. If the utility supply price increases, remember that it\u2019s due to market factors that also will increase alternative supplier prices. As volatile as gas utility prices are, your best bet for gas supply is likely with your utility and not with an alternative supplier. <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/16\/cub-speaks-out-beware-of-bad-deals-from-energy-suppliers\/\">Read our tips.<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><strong>Note:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Only consumers in Northern Illinois have gas choice.)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More helpful resources:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/gas\/\">CUB\u2019s Gas page<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/gassupplycharges\/\">Historical gas prices<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CUB\u2019s gas-price reports from 2024: <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/01\/04\/what-you-need-to-know-about-january-2024-gas-prices-in-illinois\/\">January<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/02\/01\/february-gas-prices-up-showing-month-to-month-instability\/\">February<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/03\/01\/march-gas-prices\/\">March<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/04\/01\/cub-reports-on-april-gas-prices\/\">April<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/05\/01\/cubs-monthly-report-on-gas-volatility-may-2024\/\">May<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/05\/28\/cubs-monthly-report-on-gas-volatility-june-2024\/\">June<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/06\/29\/cubs-monthly-report-on-gas-volatility-july-2024\/\">July<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/08\/01\/cub-reports-on-august-gas-prices\/\">August,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/09\/02\/cubs-monthly-report-on-gas-market-volatility-september\/\">September<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/10\/01\/report-on-gas-market-volatility-oct\/\">October<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/11\/01\/november-gas-supply-prices\/\">November<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2024\/12\/02\/december-2024-gas-prices\/\">December<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. And 2025: <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/01\/03\/january-2025-gas-prices\/\">January<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/02\/01\/february-2025-gas-prices\/\">February<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/03\/03\/march-2025-gas-prices\/\">March<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/04\/01\/april-2025-gas-prices\/\">April<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/05\/01\/cub-reports-on-may-gas-prices\/\">May <\/a><\/strong>and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/blog\/2025\/06\/02\/elevated-prices-cubs-june-report-on-gas-market-volatility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">June.<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can, consider moving away from gas: <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/electrification\/\">Visit our electrification page<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and order <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/secure.everyaction.com\/bjsyKuiwPE2yopD_Bv-EiQ2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CUB\u2019s free Better Heat Guide<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to learn how to make the transition to more efficient appliances, like electric heat pumps and induction stove tops.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gas prices for seven of Illinois&#8217; 9 major utilities remained elevated compared with a year ago, led by Liberty Utilities, which is charging a supply price that is about 208 percent higher; Nicor Gas, which is charging a price about 44 percent higher; and Peoples Gas, with a price about 16 percent higher. According to CUB\u2019s monthly review of gas prices, only two utilities were charging less than last August: Ameren Gas (12.9 percent) and Consumers Gas (19.1 percent).\u00a0 The Energy Information Administration\u2019s Short-term Energy Outlook has forecasted that prices could be elevated into 2026. Colder-than-normal winter weather in the early part of the year as well as record gas exports (meaning profit-hungry companies sending gas outside the U.S.) have helped increase demand.\u00a0\u00a0 The impact of elevated prices is less now, but consumers could be in for a more expensive winter. Gas utilities file supply prices\u2013called the Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA)\u2013each month with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC). Here\u2019s what CUB uncovered in our review of prices in August. Compared with last month, seven utilities charged lower rates: Ameren Illinois (about 5.4 percent lower), Consumers Gas (about 21.4 percent), Illinois Gas (about 9.7 percent lower, MidAmerican (2.7 percent), Nicor Gas (3.7 percent), Peoples Gas (12.7 percent) and North Shore Gas (15.4 percent). Two charged prices that were higher: Liberty Utilities (30.5 percent) and Mt. Carmel (about 1 percent).\u00a0 Compared with August 2024, this month\u2019s prices were higher for seven utilities, ranging from about 7 percent higher for Illinois Gas to about 208 percent higher for Liberty Utilities. Only two utilities were less than last August: Ameren Gas (12.9 percent) and Consumers Gas (19.1percent). August Gas Prices Ameren Illinois\u201342.70 cents per therm (DOWN about 12.9 percent from August 2024) Consumers Gas\u201354.37 cents per therm (DOWN about 19.1 percent from August 2024) Illinois Gas\u201351.27 cents per therm (UP about 7 percent from August 2024) Liberty Utilities\u201366.90 cents per therm (UP about 208\u00a0 percent from August 2024) MidAmerican Energy\u201357.29 cents per therm (UP about 45.7 percent from August 2024) Mt. Carmel\u201339.68 cents per therm (UP about 13.2 percent from August 2024) Nicor Gas\u201352.00 cents per therm (UP about 44.4 percent from August 2024) North Shore Gas\u201335.94 cents per therm (UP about 14.4 percent from August 2024) Peoples Gas\u201343.15 cents per therm (UP about 16.3 percent from August 2024) Note: Your utility is determined by where you live, so you cannot switch from one utility to another. Under Illinois law, gas utilities are not allowed to profit off supply prices\u2014they pass those costs from gas producers and marketers onto customers with no markup. State regulators annually review the utilities\u2019 gas-management procedures to evaluate whether the companies did a reasonable job with their gas purchases, given market conditions, to hold down costs for consumers as much as possible. Regulators can order refunds, although that is rare.\u00a0 A few tips from CUB:\u00a0\u00a0 Keep the lines of communication open with your utility. If you are having trouble affording your gas bills, it is vital that you contact your utility. Ask if you qualify for any energy assistance programs; see if you can set up a plan that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[1052,1096],"tags":[1032,1541,1540,1542,1428,1543,488,137,138],"class_list":["post-43426","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-gas-utilities","category-pgas","tag-ameren-illinois","tag-consumers-gas","tag-illinois-gas","tag-liberty-utilities","tag-midamerican-energy","tag-mt-carmel","tag-nicor-gas","tag-north-shore-gas","tag-peoples-gas"],"cp_meta_data":{"_facebook_share_type":["default"],"_twitter_share_type":["default"],"_linkedin_share_type":["default"],"_pinterest_share_type":["default"],"_instagram_share_type":["default"],"_medium_share_type":["default"],"classic-editor-remember":["classic-editor"],"_wp_page_template":["default"],"borntogive_page_header_show_hide":["2"],"borntogive_pages_title_show":["1"],"borntogive_pages_Choose_slider_display":["2"],"borntogive_pages_select_revolution_from_list":["3"],"borntogive_pages_slider_pagination":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_auto_slide":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_direction_arrows":["yes"],"borntogive_pages_slider_effects":["fade"],"borntogive_pages_body_bg_wide":["0"],"borntogive_pages_body_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"borntogive_pages_content_bg_wide":["0"],"borntogive_pages_content_bg_repeat":["repeat"],"borntogive_pages_social_show":["1"],"borntogive_strict_no_sidebar":["0"],"borntogive_sidebar_columns_layout":["3"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_pagination":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_auto_slide":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_direction_arrows":["yes"],"borntogive_gallery_slider_effects":["fade"],"_wpb_vc_js_status":["false"],"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":[""],"_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":["off"],"_wpsp_is_facebook_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_twitter_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_linkedin_share":["off"],"_wpsp_is_pinterest_share":["off"],"_selected_social_profile":["a:0:{}"],"_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":["1052"],"_yoast_wpseo_content_score":["30"],"_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":["4"],"_wpb_post_custom_layout":["default"],"_wp_old_slug":["elevated-prices-cubs-june-report-on-gas-market-volatility","elevated-prices-cubs-june-report-on-gas-market-volatility-2","elevated-prices-cubs-july-report-on-gas-market-volatility"],"_dp_original":["43212"],"_edit_lock":["1754086507:5"],"_edit_last":["5"]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43426"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43427,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43426\/revisions\/43427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.citizensutilityboard.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}