U.S. natural gas prices remain sky-high for second month

	VIDEO
Much of California's electricity comes from burning natural gas. CNN's Charles Zewe looks into the rise in gas prices Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

DALLAS, Texas (CNN) -- Natural gas customers across the United States are wondering why their bills have tripled and sometimes quadrupled during the past two months.

Several factors have come together to present conditions that have pushed natural gas prices into the stratosphere, including deregulation of the gas industry, record cold temperatures, short supplies and economic residual effects from the Arab oil embargo during the 1970s.

Because residential and industrial users backed away from using natural gas and its price was regulated by the government, producers weren't interested in looking for new sources -- preparing the ground for shortages.

CNN National Correspondent Charles Zewe has details.

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