Many textile service operators experienced increased energy costs in early 2014, when the polar vortex triggered two extreme winter weather events in the United States. Repercussions are still being felt today, as monthly energy bills continue to reflect expenses that energy utilities, suppliers and customers incurred during the winter months. Extreme cold burdened all types of power generation, including gas, coal and nuclear power plants. 
 
Electricity price trends are closely linked to the natural gas market. Consumer demand for gas and electricity is typically synchronized. Winter weather across the U.S. produced the most volatile natural gas daily ...