Heating bills likely to soar this winter

By Mike Ivey September 29, 2000

Get out the caulk guns and the wool sweaters.

With soaring energy prices worldwide as a backdrop, Wisconsin utility industry executives and consumer advocates Thursday issued a chilling forecast: Prepare to pay a lot more to heat your home or apartment this winter.

Industry experts are predicting that the average customers will see their home energy costs rise anywhere from 30 to 50 percent over last winter, which was the warmest in recorded history.

For example, the average bill for natural gas, the fuel that warms nearly 70 percent of state residents, is expected to climb about $130 over last year for the entire heating season, according to new estimates released by state energy officials.

The predictions are even more dire if you heat with oil or LP gas. Seasonal costs for fuel oil, which heats about 8 percent of state homes, will average $220 higher. LP, the energy source for another 8 percent of residents, will average $270 more

Continued at

http://www.thecapitaltimes.com/news/local/2000/09/29/costly_winter_092900.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 01, 2000

Answers

I wonder where they get their estimates. Each state seems to be different.

-- Loner (loner@bigfoot.com), October 02, 2000.