[NeoCaveman]

I work for a natural gas utility (a small one). This year is going to stink for us. We make the same amount per MCF regardless of price, and at prices this high people will use less or switch to some other heat source. That's the market for you.

[bjs1779]

work for a natural gas utility (a small one). This year is going to stink for us. We make the same amount per MCF regardless of price, and at prices this high people will use less or switch to some other heat source. That's the market for you.

I am old enough to remember that natural gas was 10 cents a threm. That drove just about everyone within distance of a NG pipeline away from oil and coal. Guess what, I am swicthing to coal just as you predict.

[M. Espinola]

"I work for a natural gas utility (a small one). This year is going to stink for us. We make the same amount per MCF regardless of price, and at prices this high people will use less or switch to some other heat source. That's the market for you."

Thank you for your input from the inside of the industry. Very valid points. In terms of people residing in in large high rises we are stuck unlike people in suburbia which could switch to maybe a wood burning system, coal or propane.

Do you feel coal, propane and even wood prices will elevate in price similar to when so many homeowners made the switch in the Northeast from home heating oil to natural gas and eventually the prices more or less evened out.

Another question. How soon after natural gas prices take a major upswing, do you guys raise your prices since your paying more at the wholesale level?

Do you know if there are any new models of natural burners which would heat as well, but consume less?

Maybe, just maybe this upcoming winter will not be a rough one.

Natural Gas Prices Set Record, Pointing to Costly Winter

Just what we need to hear ..............

"Long-range Weather Forecast Atlantic Corridor Annual Weather Summary November 2005 to October 2006 from the the Old Farmer's Almanac

"Winter-season temperatures will be one degree below normal, on average, with above-normal precipitation in most of the region."

"Snowfall will be much greater than normal just about everywhere. The biggest snowfalls will be in early December and the second half of January, with other snowy periods in late December and early February. Temperatures will be relatively mild in November, the first half of January, and February, but colder than normal in December and exceptionally cold in the second half of January."

"April and May will be cooler than normal, on average, although there will be warm temperatures in mid-April and early and late May. Rainfall will be above normal."

Just ducky! $20.000 Btu NG prices by February?

[VeniVidiVici]

and at prices this high people will use less or switch to some other heat source

Yup. I'll leave my gas heat set at around 65 and use space heaters to take up the slack. Our electric utility just cut a deal with the state to freeze rates for two years.