Record demand, freezing wells pose challenges to energy supply. : US natural gas and power prices hit multi-year highs on Friday ahead of extreme cold that was expected to bring record gas demand while also cutting supplies by freezing wells. Lower gas supplies at a period of surging demand could test power systems in hard-hit areas. Winter storms in 2021 and 2022 caused widespread damage and power outages in part because many power plants lacked sufficient fuel to operate.