In opposition to a backdrop of largely delicate climate throughout the Decrease 48, winter unleashed its fury on the West Coast a bit early this season. The frigid temperatures and unusually heavy precipitation have fueled pure fuel demand at a time when storage inventories are low, a drought has lowered hydro-electric energy provides and regional utilities are having bother receiving coal deliveries.

The outcome: traditionally excessive pure fuel costs which have surged to ranges not seen because the summer season of 2018. The surge in costs has unfold throughout the Pacific Northwest, farther south all through California and inland throughout the Rockies.

On Thursday, Northern California’s PG&E Citygate recorded spot pure fuel costs as excessive as $36.00/MMBtu. SoCal Citygate money reached a $33.00 excessive, whereas Malin hit $32.00. And that solely proved to be batting follow.

On Friday, the best worth on the West Coast hit $55.00, with affords as much as $60.00.

“I’ve seen costs spike earlier than, however over a brief time period,” mentioned Michael Wiliamson. His consulting agency Williamson Vitality purchases wholesale pure fuel for end-use clients in California.

“This sustained interval of excessive costs has by no means occurred earlier than. There’s plenty of various things happening, and so they’re all falling on the identical time.”

www.zerohedge.com/power/perfect-storm-fuels-massive-natural-gas-price-spikes-west-coast