Customers in Plaquemine are outraged, saying the cost of their utilities have skyrocketed in recent months.

This month 300 people were on the disconnect list in Plaquemine.  Many customers say the high rates make it impossible for them to pay their bills.

These days, when Betty Johnson opens her utility bill, she doesn't know what she's going to find.

"In May my electrical bill was $89.  It escalated by four times up to $400 plus."

A bill she can't pay each month.  "My current plus previous is $1,008."

Plaquemine's mayor, Mark Gulotta, says the city gets their gas from Louisiana Energy and Power Authority or LEPA.  While natural gas has skyrocketed in price in recent months.  A fee that has to be covered by the customer.  But many think the city needs to look at ways at relieving some of the financial burden.

The citizens are going to be bankrupt and everybody will be in the dark.  It is not possible for a senior citizen getting a $600 check to pay a $500 light bill.

Before cutting the power, Gulotta says the city will allow a customer to make payment arrangements, but for many it doesn't do any good.

That makes them have to pay two bills a month.  If you can't pay one bill how are you going to pay two?

NBC 33's Jon Fairbanks had the commission office call up a couple of people.  When they do that, they work with them as far as them coming up on their own, they aren't working with them. 

City officials expect the bills to continue to drop even into the winter months when natural gas prices are traditional higher.