Critical of Nicor's new payment plan

In Saturday's (April 11) news there was an Associated Press article with the headline, "Natural gas predicted to plunge by next winter". According to this article, prices have fallen almost 75 percent and are expected to "fall even further".

And low and behold, in my mailbox this very day was a letter from Daniel R. Dodge, the president of Nicor, my natural gas supplier which outlined a new consumer payment program called The Lock 12 Plan.

According to the president, "The Lock 12 plan locks in your gas bill at one set amount for the next 12 months. Unlike your utility's Budget Payment Plan, your bill is guaranteed not to change regardless of what happens to gas prices or the weather... Lock 12 is the best way to budget your natural gas bills... Energy prices continue to volatile. I urge you to consider this plan while market conditions are still favorable".

My question, Mr. Dodge is, "favorable" for whom? The "best plan" for whom?

If gas prices are set to keep falling as reported in the news today, your plan will "lock" consumers into higher prices for the next 12 months!

Shame on you, Mr. Dodge and Nicor! I can see greed and "dodgy" pricing are still alive and healthy in Illinois!!!

Annie Iverson,

Libertyville