Natural gas prices have surged in California. The cost of the commodity is up 314% from a year ago, according to SoCalGas.
In the rest of the country, however, the price of natural gas is not surging. In some places, natural gas futures are the lowest they’ve been in 17 months, while in California, natural gas currently costs five times the benchmark U.S. price.
Why is that, and can anything be done about it? [emphasis, links added]
It’s happening because of a few factors: colder temperatures in the West led to higher demand for heating, dropping west coast inventories to roughly 33% below the five-year average; and limited pipeline capacity makes it difficult to quickly supply California with gas produced in other states.
But something can be done about it. California could produce more natural gas in-state, as it did in the past. Ten years ago, production in California was double what it is today.
California could also support the construction of pipelines to ensure a reliable, affordable supply of an essential commodity.
Overall, California uses more natural gas than any state except Texas, and almost one-third of it is used to run power plants that generate electricity.
Yet state leaders rarely if ever acknowledge reality when it comes to energy policy, preferring to pretend that the use of “fossil fuels” will be completely phased out on an ever-accelerating timetable.
That’s a dangerous fantasy that has led to what we’re experiencing right now: winter temperatures and skyrocketing heating bills.
The bills are so high that utilities have been sending out notices to warn customers in advance and to offer friendly tips.
Long Beach utilities recommended that customers “bundle up with warm blankets, socks, and sweaters,” wash clothes in cold water and take shorter showers. SoCalGas recommended “monitoring consumption” and “balancing usage and comfort.”
High natural gas prices can be deadly during a cold snap. The L.A. County Public Health Department issued a warning to local residents not to heat their homes with “stoves, barbecues or ovens” because of the dangers of carbon monoxide or fire.
Californians are suffering this winter because politicians prefer lofty speeches on climate change to rational discussions about critical industries and infrastructure.
A better balance is possible.
Read more at OC Register
Ending the use of Fossil Fuels you might as well have taken down a old time ships sails when a Pirate Ship appeared