Cold weather impact: Gas prices could rise above $3 per gallon by Memorial Day
Share
Updated: 11:15 AM CST Feb 18, 2021
KMBC 9 News Staff
Share
Updated: 11:15 AM CST Feb 18, 2021
Hide Transcript
Show Transcript
LOOKING INTO THAT. >> The Reporter: THE KANSAS COMMISSION IS ASKING TO TRACK THE COLD WAVE SUSPENSION, SO BIG JUMPS PROBABLY WON'T BE ON YOUR NEXT KANSAS BILL. >> IT'S A LITTLE TOO EARLY TO TELL. >> The Reporter: THE CHIEF AUDITOR FOR THE KANSAS CORPORATION COMMISSION IS ASKING KANSAS UTILITIES TO RECORD AND SEPARATE THEIR SPENDING DURING THIS CRISIS, AND THEN COME UP WITH A CUSTOMER PLAN. >> SO THAT WE CAN SPREAD OUT HOPEFULLY SPREAD OUT THE IMPACT OF THESE BILLS, THESE HIGHER BILLS OVER SOME PERIOD OF TIME. >> The Reporter: YOUR BILLS GOING UP, BECAUSE USE IS UP IN THE COLD WAVE. THE MORE YOU USE, THE MORE YOU PAY. AND DEMAND IS PRODUCING A STUNNING NATURAL GAS SHORTAGE. >> NO 1 HAS EVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN THE HISTORY OF UTILITY REGULATION. I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS. CERTAINLY NOT IN MY CAREER. >> The Reporter: MISSOURI IS DIFFERENT. THEY PREDICT COSTS FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS AHEAD, SO BILLS AND RATES ADJUST, THE NEXT TIME THEY'RE AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION. THAT WILL BE MONTHS FROM NOW. ON YOUR STATEMENT, LOOK FOR THE DETAILS. PHRASES LIKE FUEL ADJUSTMENT CHARGE, OR THE PURCHASE GAS AGREEMENT. THAT WILL SHOW YOU THE IMPACT OF THE COLD WAVE AND THE PRICE SPIKE. >> SO BILLS ARE GOING UP BECAUSE WE'RE USING MORE ENERGY TO STAY WARM. AND THE PRICE OF THAT FUEL IS ALSO MORE EXPENSIVE. LOOK FOR THIS TO SHOW UP ON BILLS LATER THIS YEAR, AND STAY THERE FOR A WHI