EIA Forecasts 22% Rise In Natural-gas Heating Bills This Winter

The Energy Information Administration on Thursday forecast that consumers will see a 22% climb in their natural-gas heating bills this winter, compared to last winter. Residential prices for natural gas are expected to average $10.05 million British thermal units, which would be 11% higher than last winter and the highest since the winter of 2010-2011, the EIA said in its Winter Fuels Outlook report. Consumption of the fuel will likely be 10% higher than last winter. Households using heating oil , meanwhile, will likely spend 38% more on their heating bills than last winter, with retail prices at 42 cents a gallon, or 20% higher. Consumption of heating oil is seen up 15%.

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