New Orleans residents are sounding the alarm over what they say are eye-popping jumps in their natural-gas bills, and they are taking those frustrations straight to City Hall. Dozens packed council chambers on Tuesday to demand answers after seeing sudden, hefty increases on their monthly statements. Neighbors from across the city, including seniors on fixed incomes, parents and small business owners, said the higher charges are squeezing household budgets and called for clearer billing and protections from surprise spikes, as reported by Entergy.
At the center of the anxiety is last summer’s sale of Entergy’s natural-gas distribution business to Delta Utilities. The transfer closed on July 1, 2025, with Delta taking over day-to-day gas operations in New Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parish, according to Entergy. When regulators approved the deal, they were told Delta would not raise base rates for at least 15 months, as Axios reported. Residents say the problem is not the base rate at all, but the commodity line on their bills, which they contend has already ballooned.
Why bills are rising
Utility watchers point to a two-part punch behind the sticker shock. National wholesale natural-gas prices have climbed, and a colder-than-usual spell recently pushed household usage higher. Both factors inflate the commodity portion of monthly statements because Delta passes those fuel costs directly through to customers, according to WDSU. That combination can make overall totals jump even when the distribution rates themselves have not changed.
Residents push back at City Hall
Inside City Hall, frustrated customers held up copies of their bills and pressed officials for explanations, saying some monthly charges had doubled or even tripled, according to WWLTV. The tense gathering mirrored a broader wave of town halls and “customer care” pop-ups where Delta representatives sit down one-on-one with customers to walk through statements, a practice that has become increasingly common as residents hunt for answers and relief, per WAFB.
Delta’s relief and customer options
Delta Utilities has rolled out a short-term relief program called DU Cares that offers up to $250 in direct bill assistance for qualifying households, administered in partnership with United Way, as reported by WBRZ. The company also temporarily suspended scheduled service disconnections during recent severe weather and is promoting payment plans and levelized billing so customers can spread costs out over time, according to Biz New Orleans. Delta representatives say those steps are meant to provide short-term breathing room while the utility works to stabilize its purchasing.
Officials press for answers
Regulators and elected officials are now pushing for more transparency from the new gas provider. Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis has requested that Delta’s CEO appear before the commission to explain the recent bills and the company’s fuel-buying practices, WAFB reported. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is the state body that oversees utility rates and can order filings or hearings that require companies to answer detailed questions in public…