It's Getting Hot in Here

Let's talk about energy.
I know, oil is up to $100, gas is outrageous and the environment can't take anymore greenhouse gases. Nope, that's not what I am going toward. I want to talk about natural gas. That's right, natural gas.
Next to coal, natural gas is one of the most abundant sources of energy (yes, I know about sun and wind but that stuff is still way over priced)
It is estimated the peak in natural gas sources will take place almost thirty years after the peak in oil. It's much cleaner, more abundant and cheaper than oil. But then why is it progressively getting more and more expensive?
Every winter energy costs increase. This year an estimated 11% on average. In some places more, in others less. A few years ago there was a sharp up swing in energy (electric and heating the main uses of Natural gas). You remember, when your heating bill was $90 one month, then $300 the next. Well, in this area there was so much hoopla over the increase, especially after the public at large found out the major source of the increase was the fault of the energy industry itself. They had cut production, and limited storage because they felt it was not as profitable to keep it on supply. The outrage caused the local energy company (has a monopoly, go figure) to promise to make sure this never happened again.
Yet every year the energy costs go up. Doesn't seem they kept their promise does it? What's worse is these costs are going up at the SAME time oil (gasoline) prices are rocketing to the highest point in history.
Something seems wrong with this. Not the oil. I am aware oil will always make big money and I think that's good. Not that Big Oil makes big money, but that people begin to realize oil just isn't cost effective. Maybe we will find a new, better way a lot faster.
No one has ever explained to me the reason for these seeming unnatural hikes on natural gas prices. I've written my Congress woman, mayor and local media. The mayor was silent, the media ignored me and the Congress woman recited, almost word for word, the public relation release from our local energy company. Almost word for word, wonder who owned her? 'Wink, Wink'
Okay, so we all know energy prices go up, and up and up. I get a bit irked about it but then move on. However, Louisville has a program, much like most cities, that on your energy bill there is a space where you can place an extra amount on your bill to pay into a fund. A fund that goes to help less fortunate people in the city pay their electric bill.
What the heck is all that about? Don't get me wrong, I am all for helping out people who need it every now and then. Especially when it comes to energy prices. But how come the energy company, you know the mega million dollar making corporation, can't just let up on the people who qualify for assistance? How come this highly profitable business is asking me, a MUCH less profitable individual, to make sure it gets paid for all it's bills?
It's like we, as everyday people, are being asked, not to help out a neighbor in distress, but to make sure the energy company makes it's profit. Why would I do that?
Yes, I know if these people, (the less fortunate) don't pay their bill the electric company will increase every one's charges to ensure they get theirs, but this is malarkey. If the company knows people can't pay, don't ask those getting by, ask your board members who make six figures. Or make adjustments on people who qualify bills. Don't be so arrogant as to ask me.
It's like you see Bill Gates walking down the street and instead of saying "Hi" to you he says, "Hey buddy, can you spare a quarter?"