Low Natural Gas Prices Hurt Okie Energy Companies, Help Electricity Customers

• Joe Wertz
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  Joe Wertz was a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2011-2019. He reported on energy and environment issues for national NPR audiences and other national outlets. He previously worked as a managing editor, assistant editor and staff reporter at several major Oklahoma newspapers and studied journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma.

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Natural gas prices have been slipping. Temperatures have been moderate, and natural gas storage in the U.S. recently hit an all-time record.

The price slide has had mixed effects in Oklahoma, The Oklahoman reports in separate stories. On one hand, it’s bad for our energy companies:

The drop continues a six-week slide that is instilling concern in some Oklahoma producers, royalty owners and related companies that had been hopeful when the natural gas price climbed for seven months earlier in the year.

But many electricity customers might welcome the recent downturn:

Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. said Thursday that low natural gas prices should lower the average residential customer’s electricity bill by about $6 per month.