By Alabama Public Radio
Birmingham, AL – Advocates for Alabama's poor residents say they're worried high natural gas prices will cause financial hardship for many people this fall and winter. Alagasco is the state's largest natural gas supplier with more than 460-thousand customers. It raised rates more than 13 percent last spring, but the hike went mostly unnoticed at the time. The changes will be apparent as more Alabamians begin turning on their heating systems. High demand and low supply have caused price hikes nationwide. Alagasco officials say help is available for low-income customers.