Hundreds of dollars added to bills as gas company asset values decline
www.abc.net.au
Faced with declining use of their assets, the firms that own Australia's gas pipelines are trying to shield themselves from the risks of their networks becoming stranded — and customers are paying the tab.

At home in early autumn, Sonia Hicks doesn’t have much need for gas.

The retired physiotherapist lives in Pinjarra, about an hour south of Perth, and her gas bills at this time of the year are low.

“Our last bill was $2 for the use of gas, which is basically just for heating saucepans of food,” Ms Hicks says.

“It’s about $2 and the rest is $40, which is made up for their administrative costs.”

While Ms Hicks’s gas bills are low in March and April, it’s a different story come winter time.

Along with her husband, Derrick, she relies heavily on a gas heater for warmth during the colder months.

And when they arrive, the bills can quickly add up — so much so that her annual costs are anywhere up to $700.

  • skuzz@discuss.tchncs.de
    6·
    5 days ago

    At least we all have some unity, our gas companies across the planet act like shit. The US has farcical regulatory commissions in each state that pretend to negotiate and always concede to rate hikes for any flimsy pretense.

    Begone with them all.