WHO OVERSEES NATURAL GAS PRICES AND PROTECTS CONSUMERS?
Natural gas utilities are closely regulated by each state’s public utility commission. Utilities are not permitted to make any money from the natural gas commodity, instead utilities make any profits from a service and delivery charges that are completely independent of the cost of that natural gas. In fact, when natural gas prices are higher, consumers wisely respond by using less energy and utilities make less, not more, money. On average, the cost of the natural gas accounts for about two-thirds of a typical home-heating bill. There are three federal agencies that regulate the natural gas industry to make sure the market is working as it is designed: the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. All three of them can and sometimes do initiate investigations if there is any concern over market manipulation. Utilities welcome oversight and investigation of the market because it protects them and
