Downtown businesses cope with high gas bills

Bakersfield, Calif. (KBAK/FOX58) — As the Valley continues to deal with cold temperatures, many businesses are feeling the impacts of the winter weather through their gas bills.

SoCal Gas and PG&E cover majority of Kern County.

“You know there really isn't anything I can do, but pay it, because they’re gonna shut us off if we don’t, so we just have to deal with it," says David Miranda, the owner of All American Barber Shoppe.

"There’s really no way around it, our bills have been double what they usually are," said Miranda.

According to utilities, natural gas prices have been increasing driven by higher demand and tighter supplies on the west coast, and global price increases after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The owner of A.J.'s Tuxedo’s in Downtown Bakersfield is cutting back the best way he can.

“Heat is tough, you got to take the chill every once and a while, you noticed it’s a little cold in here."

SoCal Gas sent an alert to customers saying “January bill are likely to be shockingly high.”

“The bill was double, if not more and I thought who’s got heat on here?” Frances Rosales over at Happy Jacks, said although the bill is high, gas is the way to go.

“Can you imagine coming in and getting a burger within 5 minutes cooked on gas, if we have to go to electric, you’re going to be waiting 5 hours.”

The good news for business owners is next bill cycle is expected to drop and for residential customers they will receive a $50 credit either their February or March bill.