Feds predict 15% plunge in natural gas costs
Thursday, October 16, 2008—The federal government has predicted that Midwestern natural gas customers could pay about 15 percent less to heat their homes this winter.
Midwest Winter Heating Cost Forecast
The Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy, made the forecast in its report, the
Short-Term Energy and Winter Fuels Outlook, released Oct. 6. The plunging prices have been recorded in our
Natural Gas Price Checker for more than a year now.
Heat Type
2008-09
2009-10
Decrease
Natural Gas
$1,001
$854
14.7%
Electric
$1,091
$1,051
3.7%
Propane
$2,097
$1,664
20.7%
The EIA also predicted lower costs for homes that heat with propane (21 percent down) and electricity (4 percent down).
Of course, the drop in energy prices is threatened by Illinois utility companies. They are fighting CUB and other consumer advocates in cases before the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) and the courts that affect more than $1 billion in consumers’ money throughout the state. Help CUB fight these cases and protect your bottom line!
Remember, CUB can prevent you from burning too much of your hard-earned money on your electric and gas bills. Try CUB Energy Saver, the service that helps you build a personalized plan to save money and energy at home. Also, check out CUB Live Wire, Illinois’ most comprehensive library of local, state and federal programs that offer cash incentives to make your home more energy efficient.
For more helpful information about your gas bills, please visit CUB’s Home Heating Survival Guide.