North Shore Gas Rates
Natural gas is an important part of everyday life. So it's nice to know that you can rely on North Shore Gas to keep your business comfortable.
You can also count on us to provide the information you need to manage your energy costs. A good way to start is by understanding the rates you see on your natural gas bill.
Available Rates
- Rate 2 - General Service: For general service to multi-family, commercial and industrial customers, using on average, 41,000 therms per month or less.
- Rate 3 - Large Volume Demand Service: For large volume business customers using more than 41,000 therms of natural gas per month.
- Rate 6 - Electric Generation: For businesses that generate in excess of 25 MW of electricity using natural gas. For more information, please e-mail Gas Transportation Services or call 800-264-8026.
Summary of Charges
The following charges appear on your monthly gas bill:
Delivery Charge
The delivery charge is made up of a fixed customer charge and volumetric charges.
The Customer Charge covers many of the fixed costs to deliver safe and reliable natural gas. These costs exist regardless of how much gas a customer uses. Fixed costs include expenses related to:
- Natural gas mains and other infrastructure that's required to deliver gas
- Labor required to maintain the gas main
- Labor and supplies to read the meter
- Qualified people to respond to gas emergencies
The volumetric charge on your bill varies each month based on how many therms of gas you use.
Delivery Charges on Your Gas Bill**
Sales Customers
| Type of Natural Gas Service | Type of Customer | Customer Charge* | Volumetric Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General service to multi-family, commercial and industrial customers | Meter Class 1 (700 CFH or less) | $25.31 | First 100 therms | $.13794 |
| Meter Class 2 (701 - 2,300 CFH) | $65.41 | Next 2,900 therms | $.07112 | |
| Meter Class 3 (Over 2,300 CFH) | $171.21 | More than 3,000 therms | $.05715 | |
Transportation Customers
| Type of Natural Gas Service | Type of Customer | Customer Charge* | Volumetric Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General service to multi-family, commercial and industrial customers | Meter Class 1 (700 CFH or less) | $23.63 | First 100 therms | $.13794 |
| Meter Class 2 (701 - 2,300 CFH) | $63.63 | Next 2,900 therms | $.07112 | |
| Meter Class 3 (Over 2,300 CFH) | $169.53 | More than 3,000 therms | $.05715 | |
* Includes charges set by the State of Illinois to fund weatherization, energy assistance, renewable energy grants and adjustments due to changes in Illinois Public Act 96-0333.
** Rates effective May 1, 2010 reflect removal of costs for municipal franchise agreements, which will be recovered through Rider FCA for customers in certain municipalities beginning in May 2010.
Gas Charge
The Gas Charge is for the purchase, transportation and storage of gas, as well as the management of gas supplies for our customers. This charge includes the actual price we pay to purchase gas from suppliers, including the costs of interstate pipeline transportation and storage services (these charges vary each month, depending on the market price of natural gas.)
| Month | Price per Therm |
|---|---|
| September 2010 | $0.5391 |
| August 2010 | $0.5608 |
| September 2009 | $0.5100 |
Please Note: North Shore Gas does not profit from the price of gas, which appears on your bill as the Gas Charge. This charge reflects North Shore Gas' actual cost for gas.
See a list of Historical Gas Charges.
Efficiency Program (Enhanced Efficiency Program)
Each month your bill includes a charge to fund programs to encourage energy efficiency and conservation, while also helping to protect the environment. This program is a collaborative effort with other public and private organizations and is administered by third parties with experience in energy efficiencies.
Environmental Charge
A charge that pays for the cleanup from past manufactured gas operations.
Franchise Cost Adjustment (Rider FCA)
A charge for municipal franchise agreements. Applies to certain municipalities in the North Shore Gas service territory. This charge will change annually in May for each applicable municipality.
Governmental Agency Compensation Adjustment (Rider GCA)
A charge that pays for the fees and costs related to meeting the requirements of local governmental bodies. Applies to certain municipalities in the North Shore Gas service territory. This charge will change annually in January for each applicable municipality.
Aggregation Balancing Charge
A charge that is assessed to Choices for You customers to pay for gas related storage expenses.
Storage Credit
A credit that is assessed to Choices for You customers for storage gas.
Volume Balancing Adjustment
This tool separates the amount we charge to deliver gas from customers' energy use and taxes. Generally, when weather is colder than normal, customers will receive a credit and when it's warmer than normal, customers will receive a charge. The adjustment relates only to the cost for delivering gas to you. It does not in any way affect charges for the gas you use.
Taxes
- Municipal Utility Tax: Imposed by some municipalities on current charges before taxes.
- State Tax (Illinois Gross Revenue Tax): mandated by the state of Illinois to fund the Illinois Commerce Commission.
- State Gas Revenue Tax: either 5 percent of current charges before taxes or 2.4 cents per therm, whichever is lower.