Jun 18, 2008 10:58 pm US/Central
It's Almost Summer But Warning For Winter Bills
(WCCO)
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CenterPoint Energy expects we'll pay 35 to 45 percent more than we paid last year. It means as much as $500 over 12 months for the average homeowner. (File)
CBS
It's just two days before summer and Minnesota's largest natural gas provider is warning customers about their winter bills.
CenterPoint Energy expects we'll pay 35 to 45 percent more than we paid last year. It means as much as $500 over 12 months for the average homeowner.
The Pederson's in Minneapolis expect a different amount.
"It will probably go higher," said Bruce Pederson.
He and his wife paid $664 for their gas bill during last February's freeze. That was just one bill, for one month.
Energy analysts are predicting significant double-digit increases in natural gas. The supply of natural gas, they say, just isn't there right now but should be.
Countries in Asia are using more natural gas than before, and they're willing to pay a high price for it. There's also a natural gas production facility in the Gulf of Mexico that has been shut down for two-and-a-half months because of a maintenance problem. Plus, there's the fact that people around the world are using natural gas more than ever.
It's simple economics, energy analysts say. Supply is down, and demand is up.
CenterPoint Energy wants us to plan ahead for the higher price.
"We do, in the event of an increase to this magnitude, want our customers to be prepared and catch up on their past-due heating bills," said Becca Virden with CenterPoint Energy.
Right now, more than 150,000 CenterPoint Energy customers are behind on their heating bills from last winter owing a combined $73 million. The energy company can and will be shutting off service to people who owe, said its spokesperson.
She suggests weatherizing your home now to conserve electricity. Do things like caulk and insulate. It will save you money on your summer cooling bills. Money you save that way you can use this winter or pay-off last winter's bills, said Virden.
The Pederson's have already done these energy-savings things.
"We think it's important to conserve resources," said Bruce Pederson.
He believes these future high heating bills might be the only way and a good way to get people thinking about conserving now and for the future.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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