MidAmerican Energy expects customers’ energy bills to be lower than other utilities in the region

MidAmerican Energy Co. recently stated its customers will see an increase on their March bills, but not as high as most of the Midwest and significantly less than the South.

MidAmerican Energy has electric customers in Illinois, Iowa, and South Dakota and natural gas customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Its residential customers used double the natural gas than normal during the Feb. 5-18 cold snap.

Residential customers in Iowa will see a March bill that is $13 higher than February on average, the company said. Costs will be spread out over several months. Customers will see a total estimated average increase of $214 compared to the five-year annual average.

Commercial customers will see a March bill that is $95 higher than in February on average. For the year, the increase will $1,182 when compared to the five-year annual average.

“We understand that many are worried about an upcoming sticker shock for February heating, so we’re doing everything we can to lessen the financial burden on our customers,” said Mike Gehringer, MidAmerican vice president of customer operations.

MidAmerican’s underground gas storage, liquefied natural gas storage, and advance purchase contracts helped save customers from more than $400 million in costs.