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 home 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 monthly natural gas bill.
- How do I know which rate I am charged?
- What charges are involved?
- Who is this rate for?
- How reliable is the service this rate provides?
- How is the gas I use measured?
- North Shore Gas Rates
How do I know which rate I am charged?
To find your rate, look at the top section of your bill under the service classification section. Refer to the sample bill image below:
What charges are involved?
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**
| Type of Natural Gas Service | Type of Customer | Customer Charge* | Distribution Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential service to single-family home, two-flat served by one meter, condominium or individually metered apartment | Rate 1 Sales | $18.66 per month | First 50 therms | $.26036 |
| Over 50 therms | $.07319 | |||
| Rate 1 Choices for You | $17.92 per month | First 50 therms | $.26036 | |
| Over 50 therms | $.07319 | |||
* 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.
Who is this rate for?
The Natural Gas Rate for Residential Service is designed to serve:
- your single-family home, two-flat served by one meter, condominium, or
- your apartment if it has its own meter
If you live in an apartment, condominium or other building where three or more units are served by one meter, the North Shore Gas Rates for Business applies.
Customers enrolled in our supplier choice program can learn about their charges.
How reliable is the service this rate provides?
The Natural Gas Rate for Residential Service provides uninterrupted service to your home, except in emergencies. This means gas is available to you whenever you need it. The only exception — as with any gas service — is when unexpected events occur such as a interruption due to digging into a gas line. When this happens, North Shore Gas responds immediately to restore service as soon as possible.
How is the gas I use measured?
The amount of gas flowing through your meter is measured in "hundred cubic feet" (CCF). But you are charged based on the average heat content of the gas delivered to your home — or the number of therms you use. One therm is equal to 100,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs). One BTU represents the amount of heat needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at sea level.
Your bill shows how much gas (CCF) you used for the past month and a calculation that converts the amount of gas used (CCF) to reflect the heat content of the gas (therms). The heat content of gas may vary. North Shore Gas determines the heat content of gas received from our supplier for the past month. The result is shown on your monthly bill.