Major utilities across the United States are paying more for natural gas-fired generation, and they are passing the higher cost on to consumers.

Earlier this month, the American Gas Association (AGA) reported that U.S. domestic gas demand averaged 68.8 Bcf/d in May, up 3.5% year/year. AGA attributed most of the additional demand to power burn, adding the metric was up 9.1% from 2021.

Much of that power burn is keeping air conditioners running. Energy market research firm EBW Analytics Group predicted this month’s number of cooling degree days would top those of record-setting June 2021.

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Consolidated Edison Company of New York Inc., aka ConEd,...