Long Beach Calls Emergency Meeting Due To Unusually High Utility Bills

LONG BEACH, CA — The Long Beach City Council will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1 to address community concerns about soaring natural gas prices, Mayor Rex Richardson announced Monday.

Councilmembers will consider a proposal to fund a Natural Gas Price Spike Relief Program for Long Beach residents who saw their bills raise to over $300 in some cases this month. The program would be administered by the utilities department and would be funded by user utility tax revenue, District Five Councilwoman Megan Kerr said.

"With this program, the City will be able to help those most in need, focusing on low-income, disabled, and senior residents," Kerr said. "It will ensure that any tax revenues from high bills get redirected back into relief programs for those who need our help the most."

Compared to January of 2022, the average gas bill of Long Beach customers has increased by $189.61, according to the city. Bills this month reached a whopping average of $313.36 and statewide numbers show bills up and down California also averaging about $30o.

According to the city, the gas market price is derived from supply and demand and is based on the average price paid by gas buyers at the California border. Despite the skyrocketing bill totals, the city insisted that Long Beach Utilities does not generate any profit from higher natural gas prices.

City data shows that the price of natural gas at the state's border has dropped about 50 percent since the beginning of the month, but remains higher than normal. Officials predicted that prices will continue to decrease as warmer weather and easing of interstate pipeline constraints approach in coming months.

The emergency meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council chambers and will also be streamed online, Richardson said.