Gas prices top Hartley council agenda

A lengthy discussion about high gas prices lit a fire for the Hartley City Council on Monday.

Bill Lindley, president of the city's gas supplier, Clayton Energy, explained that market speculators and other extenuating circumstances are driving inflated prices. Natural gas costs still haven't returned to normal since February's bitter cold snap, which has him concerned the upcoming winter will be a pricey one.

"I'm very uncomfortable," Lindley said. "I don't like to be in this situation."

Natural gas prices surged in mid-February due to complications at gas wells in Texas, which froze up during...