Decreased

While the real price of other goods and services in the U.S.increased by 34% since 1987, the price of natural gas to consumershas decreased by an average 14%, from 1987 to 1997, according to areport used by the American Gas Association to show FERC thatretail unbundling is working. The distributors’ group told afederal/state regulatory policy conference Thursday the price toconsumers went from an average $4.47/Mcf in 1987 to $3.85 in 1997(all in 1997 $). Of that delivered price the total transportationand distribution cost to consumers went from $2.23 to $1.53, a 31%decline, AGA said, citing surveys by the Energy InformationAdministration. During the same period the wellhead price wentfrom $2.24 (in 1997 $) to $2.32 in 1997.