Delta Utilities Urges Levelized Billing as Natural Gas Bills Soar in Louisiana

Customers and officials demand answers as skyrocketing costs leave many families struggling to make ends meet

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:43am

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An abstract illustration using bold geometric shapes in primary colors to conceptually represent the economic impact of fluctuating natural gas prices on Louisiana families.Geometric shapes and colors illustrate the volatility of natural gas prices and the strain on Louisiana household budgets.Baton Rouge Today

Louisiana's largest natural gas provider, Delta Utilities, is facing growing frustration from customers and elected officials over staggering increases in natural gas bills. The perfect storm of an unusually cold winter and soaring gas prices has left households reeling, especially seniors on fixed incomes. Delta has encouraged levelized billing to smooth out price volatility, but critics argue this doesn't address the root cause of the affordability crisis.

Why it matters

Louisiana's heavy reliance on natural gas for heating and electricity generation has made the state particularly vulnerable to price shocks. The affordability crisis is forcing many families to make impossible choices between heating their homes and buying groceries, underscoring the urgent need to address the state's energy strategy and find solutions to protect consumers.

The details

Until last summer, most Louisiana residents received a combined electricity and gas bill from Entergy. But with Delta's acquisition of Entergy's gas business, gas bills are now separate—a shift that has amplified the shock of higher costs. Delta Utilities CEO Tim Poche acknowledged that the separate bills are contributing to customer alarm, but pointed to levelized billing as a potential solution. This program spreads price volatility throughout the year, making bills more predictable. However, critics argue that while it smooths out monthly costs, it doesn't address the underlying issue of skyrocketing prices.

  • The Louisiana Public Service Commission has agreed to audit Delta's billing practices this summer.
  • The commission is also allowing utilities to spread the cost of high bills over several months.

The players

Delta Utilities

Louisiana's largest natural gas provider, which has faced growing frustration from customers and officials over the staggering increases in natural gas bills.

Tim Poche

The CEO of Delta Utilities, who acknowledged that the separate gas bills are contributing to customer alarm but pointed to levelized billing as a potential solution.

Rahsha Williams

The head of the Leo S. Butler Community Center in Baton Rouge, who painted a grim picture of seniors struggling to pay their gas bills.

Louisiana Public Service Commission

The regulatory body that has agreed to audit Delta's billing practices and allow utilities to spread the cost of high bills over several months.

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What they’re saying

“I see seniors walking in with shaking hands because their gas bill is now higher than their grocery budget.”

— Rahsha Williams, Head of the Leo S. Butler Community Center in Baton Rouge

“Levelized billing spreads price volatility throughout the year, making bills more predictable.”

— Tim Poche, CEO of Delta Utilities

What’s next

The Louisiana Public Service Commission will audit Delta's billing practices this summer and decide whether to allow utilities to spread the cost of high bills over several months.

The takeaway

The affordability crisis caused by skyrocketing natural gas prices in Louisiana highlights the state's heavy reliance on a single energy source and the urgent need to explore alternative energy solutions to protect consumers from future price shocks. While levelized billing may provide some relief, it does not address the underlying issue, and Louisiana may need to reconsider its overall energy strategy to ensure long-term affordability and sustainability.