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Sammy Linebaugh reporting Natural gas prices are expected to jump nationwide. And now it's official for Utahns.
Questar is requesting a 13 percent increase. That translates to about 12 dollars a month for the average customer. Multiply that by 12 months, and Utahns could expect to pay roughly 144 dollars more each year in natural gas bills.
That is if the Public Service commission of Utah approves Questar's request.
Across the country, natural gas prices could rise as much as 71 percent, according to the Energy Department, so perhaps Utah is fortunate.
But some have a tough time seeing it that way.
Utility assistance programs are available here in Utah, through the Red Cross and also through a state program called HEAT, which helps lower income families cover their heating bill through the winter months.
Sherman Roquiero, Home Energy Assistance Target: "We expect to see a ten percent increase at least in our numbers. So maybe 3,000 ot more people extra this year than we've seen in the past."
Qualifying families must make $18,000/year or less for a family of four. That's an expected total of 37-thousand Utah families.
The program typically pays 25 percent of the year's bill. That's about 210 dollars a family.