PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- Because of widespread record cold in February, natural gas users could see their monthly bills double or even triple what they normally would expect.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Chairman Chris Nelson says it was due to a combination of events.

Nelson says they are working with natural gas providers to spread out those extreme payments.

Nelson says PUC staff set up a special meeting last week to deal with the issue.

Nelson says consumers don’t have to contact their suppliers about the payments. The PUC oversees three natural gas providers in the state: Northwestern Energy, MidAmerican Energy and Montana-Dakota Utilities.