For the winter billing period of November through April, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. said Thursday its 3.8 million residential customers will receive baseline volume increases of 5% to 26% for the lowest natural gas rates that it charges.

A recent review by the state regulatory commission resulted in the additional therms of usage, depending on which of the 10 climate zones in which individual customers live. New baseline totals vary from 57 to 72 therms monthly, depending on the climate zone

“As a result, most (PG&E utility) residential customers will pay the lowest possible rate for more of the natural gas they use,” the utility said in a news release, noting that gas retail rates vary between baseline and higher over-baseline amounts. The baseline amounts for gas were adjusted for the first time since 1996.

Although still cautioning its smallest customers to conserve energy, PG&E’s utility said it is “very unlikely” that a repeat of the supply/price crunch in 2000-2001 will be repeated this coming winter. Adequate supplies, additional storage, improved pipeline capacity, normal hydro-electric power and stable wholesale prices are all forecast for this winter, the utility said.

PG&E’s utility “began buying natural gas for its residential customers last spring when prices were low,” the utility said. “During the summer the company injected natural gas into its underground storage facilities for the upcoming winter season, and currently, storage facilities are near capacity.”

©Copyright 2002 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.