CPS Energy customers may see bills that are as much as 17 percent lower than last winter. Lower natural gas prices and an anticipated reduction in utility consumption, due to La Niña, are expected to contribute to the bill decrease.

The projections are based on CPS Energy’s 2010 winter energy forecast, which relies on a weather outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), for November 2010 through February 2011. The price of natural gas is projected to average $4.80 per one thousand cubic feet (Mcf) compared to $6.13 per Mcf last year. The decrease in natural gas prices and predicted warmer and drier winter means the average residential gas and electric bill is projected to be $126.94. The estimation, based on 49 ccf (hundred cubic feet) and 930 kWh (kilowatt-hours), is a decrease of $25.49 or 16.7 percent from 2009. The average winter bill last year was $152.43.

Even with the projected reduction in winter utility bills, customers are reminded that CPS Energy offers payment options to avoid disruption in service. Customers experiencing financial difficulty should contact customer service at 353-2222 to make payment arrangements. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.