Price of Natural Gas Increases as Gasoline, Crude Oil Prices Stay High.

Byline: Jim Mackinnon

Jul. 7--First, gasoline prices shot through the roof.

Now, the stuff that fuels things under many roofs -- natural gas -- is costing much more, too.

East Ohio Gas Co. estimates its Northeast Ohio customers will get bills next month that will be 16 percent higher under a new pricing plan the state just approved that passes along wholesale natural gas price increases.

And prices likely will go higher yet before the year is out.

A nationwide combination of tighter supplies and increased demand is driving up the average cost of natural gas, the Cleveland company and others say.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio in late June …