Las Cruces Utilities customers should be aware the cost of natural gas prices has notably increased. The cost increase will be reflected in the January utility bill customers will receive.
The cost of natural gas is directly passed on to LCU customers.
To ease the potential effect, Las Cruces Utilities is offering customers additional payment plans related to the price increases. LCU customers who have any questions, should please contact Customer Central, at 575/541-2111, so a payment plan can be developed.
LCU has also provided an insert to the January utility bills related to the cost of natural gas. The insert encourages LCU customers to be mindful of their energy use to manage their bills.
LCU orders its baseload of natural gas to get utility customers through each month. The utility then keeps an eye on the City’s demand compared to the baseload, and then adjusts the requested supply accordingly.
LCU obtains natural gas from two separate areas: the Permian Basin and the San Juan Basin. Unfortunately, the El Paso Natural Gas line that provides LCU natural gas from the Permian Basin, can currently only provide so much due to line maintenance issues. This means, LCU must obtain additional sources from the San Juan Basin, which is much more expensive at this time.
This affects the price LCU must pay for natural gas, which in turn, impacts customers’ bills.