Continued relief for natural gas rate payers comes as Fayetteville Public Utilities again lowers its gas rate as a result of recent stabilizing trends in the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) that directly affects national gas pricing.

Effective immediately, FPU customers will see a decrease of 14 cents per hundred cubic feet (ccf) charge for April natural gas bills. Based on the current trend in NYMEX market pricing for natural gas over the past four months, FPU has been able to decrease its local natural gas rates for the fourth time since the beginning of the year. This news continues to offer relief to utility customers during recent economic struggles.

According to FPU authorities, the April gas rate decrease is the lowest recorded rate for the utility since August 2005 when rates were $1.27 per ccf.

The recent rate decreases means that an FPU customer using 100 ccf of natural gas per month can expect their bill to be $146.73.  This is a decrease of $14.98 since last month's billing for the same 100 ccf amount when the bill totaled $161.71. Depending on how much gas you use in your home will determine the amount of your monthly bill.

In Dec. 2008, FPU's charge for natural gas was $1.83 per ccf. In January, that rate decreases to $1.74 per ccf. Again in February, the rate dropped locally to $1.60 per ccf and in March to $1.52 per ccf. With the April decrease to $1.38 per ccf, FPU has been able to drop the gas rate a total of 45 cents per ccf since the first of the year.

With warmer temperatures arriving for spring, natural gas use naturally decreases this time of year. FPU reminds customers that traditionally April and May sometimes bring short cold snaps that may still require some heating at night.                                                           

"It all depends on market pricing and the economy whether we can expect future decreases in our gas rates at FPU," says Dye. "As you know the natural gas market has shown considerable volatility in the past and many factors play a part in the prices we pay. Please know that we will continue to work to the benefit of our customers and pass along future savings to you as they become available and are deemed feasible."