Monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) updated

The Consumer Price Indexes (CPI) program produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services.

There is no CPI data specific to Utah, so national data is relied upon for this page.

For monthly and annual CPI data see here.

Awash in Oil, U.S. and Utah Set a New Course

When it comes to oil, a dramatic shift is under way in America, and Utah is playing a role.

Improved technology in both the oil fields and under vehicle hoods are big reasons why rising energy
production in the state and nationally is helping the country not only more than meet demand but also is putting it on course to reduce oil imports to historic levels.

Along the way, gas prices have fallen 50 cents or more in the state in the past month as oil stockpiles
grow, reducing the pressure on fuel costs, at least for the time being.

This year, Utah crude oil production is estimated to top 29 million barrels, marking a steady increase
since 1989. By comparison, the lowest output according to record-keeping going back 36 years came in 2003 at 13 million barrels, when drillers ran into a familiar boom-and-bust cycle common in the U.S. oil industry. Highs were registered in 1985 (41 million barrels) and in 1976 (35.4 million barrels).

"Historically, we’ve had more than one boom-and-bust cycle," said John Rogers, associate director of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining. "But production has steadily been increasing recently, largely through better technology."

In fact, production is up in the country a whole to a level that the United States could overtake Saudi
Arabia to become the world’s biggest oil producer before 2020, and might be energy independent a
decade later, according to a recent forecast by the International Energy Agency.

The radical reshaping of the nation’s energy picture means that the U.S. could become a net exporter of oil around 2030, the global organization said. Salt Lake Tribune

Ballard Water Rates Climb

When Ballard city residents open their water bill in February, they will see just how much of an effect a recent rate increase will have on their wallet.

There will be a raise in both the property tax mill levy for the Water District as well as a fee increase for water usage.

The need to raise the cost of water to consumers had been evident for some time as the Water District's budget has been operating in the red for the past few years, according to Ballard Mayor Thomas Nordstrom.

The depreciation of the system's assets, as well as increased costs for everything from purchasing of water from the Ute Tribe as well as higher costs to replace, repair, maintain and expand the system, have caused a strain on the budget, said Mark Reidhead, president of the Ballard Water and Sewer Improvement District.

The city is growing, and so grows the need for water. According to the Ballard City and Ballad Water Improvement District newsletter going out to consumers with the December bill, approximately 50 building permits have been given out this year alone. This includes two new three story hotels to help with the shortage of rooms for both the traveling public as well as oilfield workers. “We are getting more and more of a demand all the time,” he said.

While he expects to hear from some consumers, Reidhead said he believes some people understand the need for the increase. “If we want to keep water flowing, the people I've talked to are saying 'if we need the water, we have to pay for it,'” he said.

The increase goes into effect January. Uintah Basin Standard

Good news at Moon Lake Meeting

About 1,200 people turned out for the Moon Lake Electric annual meeting on Thursday, from babes in arms and excited kids to a few who still remembered when the lights came on for the first time in the late 1930s.

The news they received from Grant J. Earl, general manager and chief executive officer, certainly didn't cause any heartburn.

First, in their June bills each customer will receive a portion of a $2 million patronage refund that was approved by the board of directors, reported Yordis “Yogi” Nielsen, board president. And, for the 27th year in a row, there will not be an increase in electric rates.

At last year's annual meeting Earl had announced there would be a rate increase between 6 and 8 percent starting Jan. 1, but that increase turned out not to be needed, he said. Uintah Basin Standard