CHAMBERSBURG – Borough officials say colder-than-normal winter temperatures — not rate increases — are behind higher electric and natural gas bills reported by residents this month.
Representatives from the Borough of Chambersburg’s electric and natural gas utilities have received inquiries from customers concerned about higher monthly bills.
Borough Manager Jeffrey Stonehill said the spike in bills corresponds with increased energy usage during one of the coldest winters on record.
“The colder the temperature, including wind chill, the higher your household electric and natural gas bill will go. That’s inevitable,” Stonehill said. He noted that reports indicate this winter ranks as the 11th coldest in the borough’s recorded history.
Stonehill emphasized that borough utility rates did not increase this winter. Instead, overall consumption rose as residents used more electricity and natural gas to heat homes during extended periods of cold weather.
“Recall Borough utility rates did not go up this winter, but use definitely did because we’ve experienced colder-than-normal temperatures recently,” he said.
Officials said bills are expected to return to more typical levels as temperatures moderate in the coming weeks.
Customers with questions about their bills may visit Customer Service on the first floor of the Utility Department’s Addition to Borough Hall, 100 S. Second St., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chambersburg operates consumer-owned electric and natural gas utilities, along with water, wastewater and solid waste services.
