Natural gas = costly heating Sat Sep 2 2000 6:17pm EDT Amy Lewis, weather.com Also in this report: Snow babies

Natural gas prices are on the rise and that could cause some customers to spend more than $500 more this winter than last.

Wisconsin Gas Co. and Wisconsin Electric Power Co., the two largest natural gas suppliers in the state, say bills could rise from $113 to $680 for the heating season between November and April.

If temperatures prove to be more harsh than last winter, rices could rise even higher because the estimates are based on last year's mild season.

"If we get back to normal weather, a 30 percent increase is not out of the realm of possibility," said David Fantle, a spokesperson for Wisconsin Gas.

August natural gas prices were 24 percent higher than last year.

The American Gas Association attributes the rise to a strong economy, which has increased demand for natural gas, while low prices have meant fewer rigs drilling. In addition, high gas prices this spring and summer, a time when utilities usually buy gas and store it, were a factor.

Although more rigs are operating as prices rise, the full effect of increased capacity won't be felt until the end of winter.

Utility and pipeline experts and gas marketers plan to meet Sept. 28 in Madison to discuss the prices.

Hospitals prepare for snow babies. (ABC)

Snow babies

Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina are gearing up for the arrival of hundreds of snow babies. The births are expected some nine months after a record-setting snow storm delivered 17 inches of snow to the region, leaving moms and dads-to-be homebound for days.

As far as we know, the night of the big storm was the night our little girl was conceived, said Tyra Vanek, whose daughter is due in October.

Rex Hospital says it normally delivers 400 babies a month. The hospital is expecting more than 600 deliveries in October.

A hospital spokesperson said the company has anticipated the outcome since the snowstorm, and has been preparing for it, adding staff members and stocking up on supplies.

http://www.weather.com/weather_center/full_story/full2.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), September 02, 2000

Answers

From $113 to $680. Wow! This is a staggering increase.

-- Billiver (billiver@aol.com), September 03, 2000.