A $225 gas bill. How does this happen? The answer is elusive.

The Midwest uses more natural gas than any other region in the United States and prices recently climbed to an all-time high — which could potentially cause a greater economic impact in this region.

This rising cost of natural gas caused attorneys general from the Midwest to conduct a six-month study in order to grasp why natural gas prices have been so erratic.

“Suppliers are heavily controlling the price and consumers begrudgingly follow,” said Khan Mohabbat, professor of economics.

Attorneys general from Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin were involved in the study as well as Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in representing 27 million Midwest consumers.

The report analyzed many factors contributing to the rise of natural gas prices and attempted to discover workable solutions.

Officials agree the conventional rules of supply and demand do not explain rising prices.

The diminishing supply of natural gas is just one factor driving up the price.

According to the natural gas study, “a significant contributing factor” emerged. A large amount of money has flooded unregulated financial markets creating an uncertain setting where prices fluctuate.

“Ultimately, we are only looking for as much trading regulation as there is for non-essential items like orange juice,” said Janice Dale, chief of Public Utilities.

Mohabbat said the current regulation is not strong enough and echoed others’ comments about the need for stronger regulation.

“We need oversight of all natural gas transactions to make sure that the prices consumers pay accurately reflect the actual supply and demand for natural gas,” Madigan said in a press release accompanying the 115-page study.

Illinois administrators are working with other attorneys general and are in the process of contacting congressional staff to bring awareness to the issue of natural gas trading transparency.

“We want to require traders to be registered with some government agency and we need all trades reported,” Dale said.

Natural gas prices may be coming down soon due to the unexpectedly mild winter this year, Mohabbat said.