The Public Service Commission is receiving a report that says some natural gas utilities in the state did not do all they could have done to keep prices down this winter. Warren Wood with the PSC staff says it comes down to the practice of hedging – buying natural gas when the prices are lower. Wood says while some utilities such as AmerenUE and Aquila bought 80 percent or more of their gas before November 1st, others such as Southern Missouri Gas and Fidelity Natural Gas bought little or no gas ahead of November. He says a milder-than-expected winter has lessened the impact of the price spikes. The report suggests that utilities need to hedge their buys several times a year, not just once a year as many utilities do.
