A MESSAGE TO THE CUSTOMERS OF
SOUTHWEST TEXAS MUNICIPAL GAS CORPORATION 

AS YOU ARE AWARE, WE HAVE HAD VERY HIGH RATES FOR NATURAL GAS THIS WINTER. AS THE PRICES FALL IN OTHER PLACES, WE ARE BEING ASKED WHY OUR PRICES REMAIN HIGH.  THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE.  WE HAVE A CONTRACT.  THIS CONTRACT WAS NEGOTIATED BY OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHEN OUR OLD CONTRACT ENDED DURING THE SUMMER AND NATURAL GAS PRICES WERE EXTREMELY HIGH.  THIS CONTRACT WAS SET FOR A THREE YEAR PERIOD, ENDING JUNE 30, 2011.  WE HAVE TRIED TO RENEGOTIATE WITH OUR SUPPLIER, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.  AT THE TIME, THE BOARD FELT THEY WERE ACTING IN OUR CUSTOMERS’ BEST INTEREST, NOT REALIZING PRICES WERE GOING TO FALL SO FAST, SO SOON.  THE GENERAL THOUGHT AT THE TIME WAS “THERE IS NO CEILING ON ENERGY PRICES”.  UNFORTUNATELY, WE WILL BE PAYING THIS HIGH PRICE UNTIL WE CAN NEGOTIATE A NEW CONTRACT.  YOU CAN HELP WITH YOUR BILL BY BEING THRIFTY WITH YOUR USE OF NATURAL GAS.  TURN THERMOSTATS DOWN ON FURNACES AND WATER HEATERS.  DRAFT PROOF WINDOWS AND DOORS.  ADD INSULATION TO CELINGS AND WALLS.  USE DRAPES OR SHADES WHERE POSSIBLE.