Columbia Gas' December rate to be lower than November's | The C...

i feel sorry for the poor s.o.b.'s who locked in rates with other gas suppliers looking to save $$$ on their heating bills.

Name wrote:

There's a sad lack of basic economics here.
"If the US now has more access to gas, the gas companies may need to find other products to offer, to regain their profit levels they once knew."
Gas is cheaper right now because the gas company pays less for it. When gas becomes more expensive, they will raise rates. They don't do it arbitrarily to raise profits.

Well Duh!! But think about your whole post before you post. You are talking about a public utility. They don't make money off the gas they make money off the transport through thier pipelines. Just like Kings Island makes money when you go to ride thier rides; Columbia makes money when your gas rides through thier distribution lines. Do you work for no money?? Why should they work for free? Because they are a utility? NAAAA those workers have to put food on the table too you know.

The gas reserve is in excess in the country. Hence the lower price. The bozos who call themselves consumer protectionists will take quick credit for this. Shameless!

Well, the gas companies and the so called state advocates have all made excessive monies in the last five years (2005 - 2009). Columbus Dispatch article dated May 3rd, indicated that about 789 millions were collected from Ohioans in excess of the national average in the past four years excluding this year. May be they are all tired of counting their coffers that they need a break seeing all the bundles of green!

Columbia Gas makes most of their money in their transmission division and services - in short, cheaper prices tend to increase demand, and profits.

The gas itself is sold at cost.

I Do Not Get It wrote:

There is a catch somewhere I am sure.

I agree. There's always a catch. As the saying goes: if it sounds to good to be true, then it aint. I expect it will go up at some time in the future when they are wanting a raise or when the city is short on ther annual deficit, then we will be paying. It's just like the gas prices. They were high, then low, then high, then low and high again in the past two weeks and now they are coming down. How can they keep raising gas prices, etc when the economy is still in a recession/slump. Lowering it for a few weeks and then raising it again does not justify the means. GREED, GREED, GREED, GREED

Name wrote:

There's a sad lack of basic economics here.
"If the US now has more access to gas, the gas companies may need to find other products to offer, to regain their profit levels they once knew."
Gas is cheaper right now because the gas company pays less for it. When gas becomes more expensive, they will raise rates. They don't do it arbitrarily to raise profits.

I disagree. When these so called companies are in control they can do and will do anything they want to us lower class people (knowing we don't have a lot of options) and then they will lie to cover it up. Look at all the crooks with power. It's always the little people who suffer. Profits are always involved. So don't fool yourself into thinking it's not. Society has become more greedier now than ever. If everyone is getting laid off and barely making ends meet, then how are they suppose to pay more for basic living needs. Even Wal-mart has falsified there advertisements. "Lower prices, Live well, Wal-mart", is a bunch of crock. I have seen there prices jump more than fifteen cents on many of there items. You can find most of there items cheaper at many other stores. I feel like Wal-mart needs a competitor that has as much power in the market as they do and maybe they will not be so quick to raise there prices and then lie to the consumers and customers. Shopping at Wal-mart has made them the success that they are and what do they do to thank us, they raise there prices and bold face lie to the public. GREED! GREED! GREED!

Drill baby drill!