Households that use fuel oil can expect to spend an average of $2,388 – or $449 more than last year – for the October-April heating season.
Users of natural gas will pay less than half that, $1,010 on average, still $155 more than last year, the Department of Energy estimated.
The number of Americans whose gas or electricity has been shut off because of nonpayment of bills is up 17 percent compared with last year in New York and up 22 percent in Michigan.
Other states hard hit by the problem include Pennsylvania, Florida, and California, according to a survey by the Associated Press.
Despite stepped-up efforts with state and federal governments, utilities and private groups trying to help people avoid shut-offs this winter, some worry the problem will only get worse in the coming months.
Laws across the country protect the elderly and the ailing, and many states have cold-weather rules that make it difficult or impossible to shut off service in the winter.
Source: The Associated Press, Michael Hill (10/06/08)
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