Bigger Utility Bills

* Despite lowering our thermostat and reducing usage approximately 20% from a year ago, our natural gas bill more than doubled. Our January gas bill for our new home, which is superinsulated and has many energy-saving devices and features, was over $300. We do not have an exceptionally large home (2,300 square feet), and it is a single story. Our gas company (Southwest Gas, out of Las Vegas) thanked us for being a good customer of its clean, “economical” natural gas. Right now we’re thinking that our Edison bill of $70-$80 per month is a bargain, although we know that will change soon.

So much for deregulation of the energy industry. Unbelievable!

LARRY and PATTY SALINAS

Helendale, Calif.

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The Times ought to adopt a policy of using the phrase “partial deregulation” in referring to California’s electricity market until retail prices are deregulated or wholesale prices are re-regulated. This would clear up a lot of confusion. Only the wholesale price of electricity was deregulated. The retail price was not, and the market is composed of both supply and demand.

BRUCE SWANSON

Los Angeles