Future uncertain for NSW gas customers The electricity price spiral in NSW has finally stopped but the future for gas prices is not looking so good in an uncertain market, the state's Energy Minister Chris Hartcher says. The minister on Tuesday welcomed the curbing of electricity price increases in NSW to an average of three per cent for the next financial year, as set by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). Even better news for residential and small business consumers is that IPART expects electricity prices to start falling, with an average six per cent fall tipped for mid-2015. But the news is not good for gas customers. Gas prices in NSW should rise by an average of 8.6 per cent in the next financial year, IPART says in draft reports released on Tuesday. Mr Hartcher says the three per cent electricity price rise for 2013/14 was "great news" for NSW families, coming down to near the Consumer Price Index (CPI). "Finally the price spiral has stopped, it was 18 per cent last year, it was over 20 per cent the year before," he told reporters. It will continue to come down ... the future looks bright for electricity. But Mr Hartcher admitted the future for gas prices was not so good in an uncertain market, with prices now to be set annually until issues over gas development and supply became clearer. He said federal Labor's carbon tax and green energy schemes continued to boost electricity bills, adding about $330 a year for a typical household. IPART chairman Peter Boxall said the main reason for the average 8.6 per cent gas price increase was increasing charges for pipeline construction and other network costs, particularly for AGL customers. He said the wholesale gas market was very uncertain at present, with the prospect of large exports of liquid natural gas raising questions about supply. The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA), meanwhile, says NSW should get used to gas price rises as environmental activists seek to curb coal seam gas exploration and development. APPEA's Chief Operating Officer Rick Wilkinson said Queensland was self-sufficient in gas and had $60 billion worth of projects under construction. "NSW is shedding gas jobs and importing 95 per cent of its supply, despite the huge reserves in its possession," he said in a statement. Meanwhile, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has called for government action on "energy poverty." PIAC's Carolyn Hodge said even with the modest 3 per cent electricity price increase, many households would continue to struggle because prices had risen so much in recent years. "With gas prices also set to rise, the affordability of essential energy services is a big issue for NSW consumers," she said. Ms Hodge called for more funding for the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme for people facing disconnection and an increased Life Support Rebate for the cost of using life support equipment. Mr Hartcher said the government wanted all eligible householders to take advantage of all rebates and assistance packages available to them.