Natural Gas Prices

GAO discussed natural gas prices, focusing on prices at the national level, prices in northwest Pennsylvania, and Federal regulatory and assistance efforts relating to natural gas. GAO stated that the price charged by one major supplier in the northwestern Pennsylvania region increased 109 percent between 1979 and 1983, compared with an increase of 103 percent nationwide. Price increases were the result of increases in the cost of purchased gas and of increased transmission and distribution expenses to gas suppliers. At both the national and local levels, gas consumption decreased. GAO also discussed Federal requirements that utility companies offer energy audits to their customers and Federal efforts to provide energy assistance to low income families.