People who heat and cook with natural gas in Mercer, Lawrence, and other Pennsylvania Counties can expect higher gas bills this winter.

National Fuel Gas announced that it has adjusted its supply charges effective Friday, November 2024, due to increased market prices.

According to the company, the adjustment increases the monthly bill of a typical residential customer with an annual usage of 99,300 cubic feet of gas by $2.73, from $72.12 to $74.85.

Gas supply costs are passed along to customers dollar for dollar, with no markup or profit according to National Fuel. Pennsylvania utility companies are permitted to update gas supply charges every quarter to reflect changes in the market price of natural gas.

The next opportunity to adjust gas supply charges will be Feb. 1, 2025.

National Fuel's price-to-compare gas commodity charge also will increase to $.40159 per 100 cubic feet. The reference point, detailed on the National Fuel bill under Gas Supply Charges, is important for customers who are shopping for an alternate gas supplier.

On Monday, Nov. 4, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, opens. Eligibility for this federally funded program is based on income guidelines and household size.

A family of four with a gross monthly income of $3,900 may qualify for a grant which is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, visit www.LIHEAPhelps.com or contact 1-877-443-2743.

National Fuel launched a new Customer Assistance Program that offers customers affordable monthly payments and the opportunity to have outstanding balances forgiven at the time of enrollment. CAP is available to residential customers with a household income equal to or less than 150% of federal poverty income guidelines.

Customers who are eligible for LIHEAP also will be eligible for CAP.