The state’s largest natural gas utility, is predicting it will cost significantly less this winter to heat your home with natural gas. We Energies spokesman Brian Manthey says the drop means a savings ranging from $118 to $135 for the six month winter period that runs from November through April.
Manthey says the forecast includes a proposed rate increase currently being considered by the Public Service Commission.
The utility’s forecast of a 14-to-16 percent drop is similar to the projection released Tuesday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, which is predicting home heating costs will be about 15 percent less than last winter.
Roger Cooper of the American Gas Association attributes the cost decrease to natural gas production increasing this year and an increase of the fuel available as less being used during the slumping economy. However, Cooper says if the weather’s “incredibly cold” this winter, all bets about reduced prices are off.
AUDIO: Janet Hoff reports (MP3 :60)
Janet Hoff-WRJN and John Colbert-WIBA contributed to this report
