MEMPHIS, Tenn — Memphis Light Gas and Water's (MLGW) customers may have been expecting to get a break on high energy bills; the first one of the year.
This week, customers are opening their mailboxes to sticker shock and wondering if prices will really decrease like the utility claimed.
THE SOURCES
QUESTION 1
Will your utility bill be higher after the Mid-South arctic blast in Jan. 2024?
WHAT WE FOUND
In a tweet on Jan. 31, the utility said customers likely used more energy during our recent winter weather and could expect a higher bill. But two days before, on Jan. 29, MLGW said the “average residential bill will be $7.41 lower than 2023.”
THE ANSWER
MLGW's recent posts need context.
Remember how much you pay depends on how much you use and how you heat your home. Natural gas is currently cheaper to buy, according to the utility, than electricity.
MLGW told ABC24 that if your utility consumption is the same this year as it was in 2023, your average bill will be lower. But because of how much customers had to use to stay warm, consumption of gas and electricity was higher this January compared to last.
The utility admitted the average residential bill is about $24 higher this January due to the storm.
According to MLGW, they provide natural gas to roughly 320,000 customers in Shelby County.
MLGW encourages customers to use the “explore usage” function online to get more insight into how much energy they use. You can see your energy usage dating back as far as 24 months.