CA: December heating bills could be lower than forecast (PG&E says 25% vs. 38% --- Whewww!)

ap on Monterey Herald ^ | 12/2/05 | ap - San FRancisco

[NormsRevenge]

SAN FRANCISCO - Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customers can expect significantly higher heating bills in December compared with the same time last year, but the increase won't be quite as severe as previously forecast.

PG&E, which serves most of Northern California, said Thursday that natural gas bills will probably rise 25 percent this month compared with a year ago, which is down from the utility's previous estimate of a 38-percent increase.

The average bill is now expected to be $110.55, compared with $88.10 last year at this time, according to the San Francisco-based utility.

Mild weather has helped reduce costs by driving down prices for natural gas, which is used to fuel furnaces and hot water heaters in most homes, officials said.

But experts cautioned that natural gas prices - and in turn, the price of heating bills - are likely to jump again if there is a major cold spell elsewhere in the country.

"The prices of natural gas at the well-head remain very high," said James Sweeney, an energy expert from Stanford University. "There are apt to be further price increases. . . . The bottom line is, there is no good news."

[mainepatsfan]

"The bottom line is, there is no good news."

Isn't that the NY Times basic operating philosophy as long as Bush is President?

[So Cal Rocket]

The bottom line is, there is no good news."

Yes there is... the good news is that we live in a free market economy which operates on the laws of supply and demand... because of this there are no shortages of heating fuel. So, the good news is that when you turn your heater on... there will be fuel there to burn and keep you warm.

[Amerigomag]

the good news is that we live in a free market economy... because of this there are no shortages of heating fuel. So, the good news is that there will be fuel there to burn and keep you warm.

Excellent point. Worth repeating.

Thanks.

[Sacajaweau]

I have now closed off three rooms in my house. That seat in Room No. 1 is sure cold!!

[OldFriend]

Well, it's 60 degrees in Denver right now. Aside from a few bitter cold days, the temps there have been quite mild.

[GOP_1900AD]

Don't tell my wife ... she's been shivering in a sweater. LOL!

[CounterCounterCulture]

But experts cautioned that natural gas prices - and in turn, the price of heating bills - are likely to jump again if there is a major cold spell elsewhere in the country.

Cold spells, in winter??? Nawwwwww.

[goldstategop]

More good news. A bad week for the libs. Where's the doom and gloom? Its a bad time to be a Leftist!

(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")