Soaring Heat Costs Leave Record Number Facing Potential Energy Shut-Offs

After struggling with soaring heating costs through the winter, millions of Americans are behind on electric and gas bills, and a record number of families could face energy shut-offs over the next two months, according to state energy officials and utilities around the country.

The escalating costs of heating oil, propane and kerosene, most commonly used in the Northeast, have posed the greatest burdens, officials say, but natural gas and electricity prices have also climbed at a time when low-end incomes are stagnant and prices have also jumped for food and gasoline.

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Comments

[LiberalBuzz]

What is really sad about all of this is that the energy companies just don't give a damn. IF people die or freeze to death or have no hot water to bathe their babies and themselves, they don't give a flying damn about it.

All that counts is the Benjamins.

All energy companies worship in one place and one place only.

The Altar Of The Almighty Buck. And it requires constant sacrifices of the poor and disadvantaged.

[loki]

So if these price increases are truly based on supply and demand, once all of these people are cut off, do you think the prices will drop??

Of course not, and these people who are struggling to just live, will be brought down even more by the greedy company who of course is most likely run by a group of Ivy league educated morons.

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Remember when the Rupublcan'ts mocked Jimmy Carter for wearing a sweater in the White House and when Regan took the solar collectors off of the White House roof. I wore a fleece this past winter.

The definition of conservatism is resistance to change the definition of neo-conservativioms is watching the Matrix and thinking it's real, courtesy of Louis Black, my definition is stuck on stupid.

[MtDavid]

Don't worry! Today our president said that the tax rebate will help pay for these energy bills. This will be a huge transfer of wealth from the taxpayers (who pay for the rebate) to the oil and energy companies.
Despite the Republican lie about "no new taxes" this is really a sneaky tax, paid for by future generations, benefiting Big Oil. Wake up! We need a "windfall profit tax."

[LiberalBuzz]

Yeah you noticed that eh? The big winners in this so called rebate will be the energy companies and the credit card companies.

That was a nice big fat wet French kiss to his biggest supporters as a goodbye gift. BILLIONS going straight to their pockets. We ain't gonna go buy some frivolous nonsense, because unfortunately it will go straight to bills.

AND the country goes further in debt.

WORST PRESIDENT.....EVER!

[Nyla785]

As Cheney says..."So?"

[connorin]

Its OK if heating costs are headed up...we won't need it thanks to gloabl warming...right Al?

[Jason357]

What does anyone expect. The propane company is allowed to charge each person whatever they want. I ask for the going rate, and they won't say a word until I give them my account number. I wouldn't be surprised if one guy pays $3.80 a gallon for propane and the neighbor with similar usage gets it for $3.00 a gallon, because he's someone drinking buddy or a local lodge member. Some people are subsidizing others and it's not right. They should charge for propane just like gas, a set price for everyone, no matter how much you buy.

[paulfromportland]

Heating oil is very similar - As a result of a late cold front from Alaska, had to buy, reluctantly, 50 gallons - Four fifty a gallon - The previous fills were for $3.70 for 200 gallons in January and $4.07 for 100 gallons in March.

Switch to natural gas would not be much different.

Perhaps a one room cabin in the Cascades with a wood burning stove and live among the survivalists.

Heckuva job, Shrubbie

[boomer1949]

My daughter and son in-law live in Lima, OH. Their gas budget for the 2008 winter heating season was (is because the usage rate was so high) $300/month. Yet this amount wasn't even close to the monthly bills they received.

They religiously read and submitted monthly gas meter readings (because the supplier said it only had to do it once a year -- the other 11 times are estimated). Their programmable thermostat was set at a daytime temperature of 60 degrees and 62 degrees after 5:00 pm. They purchased a space heater for their bedroom and kept the door closed at night.

They will still be paying off the balance owed when it is August and 90 degrees -- just in time for the "new" budget year to begin.

How ridiculous if that?

[connorin]

that's funny my gas bill was 80-90/month for a 2 story home with daytime when we are away temps at 66, daytime temps when home of 69 and nightime temps of 64...home is 10 yrs old on IN/MI border in the lake effect snow region

[rbspickles]

This country's in a boat load of trouble people. And it don't look like we're going to get out of it for a very, very long time. By the time this recession (yes, I said the r word) turns into a depression and then back out, we will be lucky to have a pot to pi$$ in . Reaganomics at it's best. IT DON'T FREAKIN' WORK PEOPLE!!! Let's finally put it to rest.

[RevMetheus]

Really?

With fuel costs effectively doubling over the last winter, with wages still locked at levels from the late 80s (100 hours of legislation my ass, where is our minimum wage hike you bastards), with food prices skyrocketing and shortages of basics is this even news?

We're screwed and its not until spring that they start the stories about how poor a winter people have been having.

[chicago25624]

Thank God for global warming. Just imagine how many more would have their heat turned off if it had been a cold winter.

[Kally]

Global warming IS CHANGING weather patterns. The Gulf Stream is moving, and will not carry warm waters up the East Coast on to England. If is causing the Jet Stream to push further south causing extreme weather conditions. Warming is going to be the least of the problems. The hot air will keep the Jet Stream permenantly in one position and those areas will start a new ice age.

That's what people don't understand the planet will not just warm in certain, weather patterns being changed will cause more violent storms and colder winters. We were taught all this in grade school to high school back in the 40's and 50's. It is a shame that the NEW SCHOOL didn't teach kids this.

[connorin]

weather patterns are always changing

[maxfusion]

Sorry, you can't have it both ways quisling. Fat Al had a 50/50 chance, and as usual, comes up the loser. Just like in 2000.

[heretical eggs]

Someone needs to metaphorically throw a hammer and sickle at these corporations before it's too late. They are devouring our middle class without any concern for what the future holds.

[cruisepuppy7452a]

The public needs to look at who is behind this. Cellnet and othr sub companies world wide are the culprits. Nobody is safe from thir so called spyware they installed that is used by cellnet and othrs that raise your bills. Folks, again we the consumer must say enough is enough an refuse to allow them to install their insane metrs that are made to raise the bills. If you don't, don't bitch.

[maxfusion]

What in the world are talking about??