Taking a good look at my utilities bills

My gas company has a fixed charge of $28.  My electric company has two fixed costs that totals 17.5.  I heard in China you are only charged for how much energy you use.  So why America is so different?  Encouraging people to not leave properties unoccupied? I am just curious.  I think there was always a fixed charge by my utility companies, but it is getting higher.
I can imagine how frustrated/difficult it is to hold onto vacant properties here v. in China.  I am not even talking about the property tax yet.