Atlanta area consumers paid 43.5 percent more than the U.S. city average for utility (piped) gas and 7.5 percent more for electricity in July 2012, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Conversely, Atlanta area consumers paid slightly less for gasoline than the nation. Regional Commissioner Janet S. Rankin noted that prices for each of the selected energy products decreased both nationally and in the Atlanta area from a year ago. (See table A. Data in this release are not seasonally adjusted; accordingly, over-the-year analysis is used throughout.)

A therm—a measure of constant heating value—of utility (piped) gas, commonly referred to as natural gas, in the Atlanta area averaged $1.353 in July 2012, down 9.4 percent from the previous year.  Nationwide, a therm declined 12.5 percent from July 2011 to July 2012. Over the past five years, Atlanta utility (piped) gas prices have remained above national prices. (See chart 1.)

A kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity cost Atlanta area consumers $0.143 in July 2012 compared to $0.133 nationwide. The price of electricity was little changed over the year both locally and nationally. Local electricity prices, which are subject to seasonal fluctuations, have been below the national average for most of the past five years. (See chart 2.)

In July 2012, a gallon of gasoline averaged $3.353 in the Atlanta area, slightly below the national average of $3.502. Over the year, gasoline prices declined 8.8 percent in Atlanta area compared to a 5.4-percent decrease nationwide. Although the price of gasoline can be volatile from month to month, local and national prices have moved in tandem over the last five years. (See chart 3.)

The Atlanta, Ga. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is comprised of Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding and Walton Counties in Georgia.

Technical Note

Average prices for electricity, utility (piped) gas, and gasoline are published monthly for the U.S. city average, the 4 regions, the 3 population size classes, 10 region/size-class cross-classifications, and the 14 largest local index areas. For electricity, average prices per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and per 500 kWh are published. For utility (piped) gas, averages prices per therm, per 40 therms, and per 100 therms are published. For gasoline, the average price per gallon is published. Average prices for commonly available grades of gasoline are published as well as the average prices across all grades.

Price quotes for 40 therms and 100 therms of utility (piped) gas and for 500 kWh of electricity are collected in sample outlets for use in the average price programs only. Since they are for specified consumption amounts, they are not used in the CPI. All other prices quotes used for average prices estimation are regular CPI data.

With the exception of the 40 therms, 100 therms, and 500 kWh price quotes, all eligible prices are converted to a price per normalized quantity. These prices are then used to estimate a price for a defined fixed quantity.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.