Heating bills killing low-wage earners and seniors (up 88% since 2000)

[Bozita]

Blue state, frontpage headline column. Must see to fully appreciate: http://www.freep.com/cgi-bin/pdf/showfrontpdf.pl

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link to actual article: http://www.freep.com/money/business/tompor26e_20050126.htm


SUSAN TOMPOR: How high can heating bills go? Brace yourself

BY SUSAN TOMPOR
FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

January 26, 2005


Stop to chat with anyone and the big conversation icebreaker this January is bound to be, "Say, just how high was your gas bill?"


People are taking a painful hit with their heating bills, thanks to a dramatic run-up in natural-gas prices. And they're grousing about it as much as they used to brag about those dot-com stock picks in the 1990s or those home refinance deals.


The state's two largest utility companies say the average home gas bill was almost 20 percent higher last month than it was in December 2003. But that's nothing, really. Want to get really depressed? Just dig up your bills from a few years ago.


December's heating bill could be 88 percent higher for some Michigan consumers than bills for December 2000.

more...

[sarcasmo]

1. Cut that Social Security Chimpy, that's a bright idea..

[candy]

3. I'm on SS but am lucky enough to have a pension.

I can't imagine surviving on my Social Security check,even before any of the cuts take place.

My most recent gas bill(heat) was $300.00 and the temperature has dropped considerably after that billing period.The next bill will probably be $400.00.

The beat goes on,and on,and on!

[Mari333]

2. Gas bills in Michigan, cut back on groceries

and we have the highest unemployment rate in the nation. Its been a cold and dastardly winter, too.

[salin]

4. 88% higher in four years...

Let's put real numbers in - a bill in 2000 that was, say, $125 in the winter (some of michigan homes are older - poor insulation - and due to the cold/bitter winter months require a lot of heating); that bill would be, according to this, $235 a month in 2005. For those on a fixed income (which did not, by definition, increase by 88% in the past four years) this represents a HUGE hit.

[bostonbabs]

5. energy bills and medication bills

George's two favorite industries ENERGY and PHARMACEUTICALS....and lets not forget the WAR PROFITEERS....I would like to know why we don't jam the word "CROOK" down their throats .Its simple and to the point.??

[moobu2]

6. We've had one of the mildest winters in my memory here but

my gas bill last month was $387.00. It's never been over $200.00 in the coldest winters

[mulethree]

7. about +55% for oil heat compared to 2000 n/t