This winter's heating bills will be higher thanks to the price of natural gas

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- High natural gas prices are expected to drive up this winter's home heating bills. <br><br>Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony says gas costs may exceed the record costs Oklahomans

Friday, July 18th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- High natural gas prices are expected to drive up this winter's home heating bills.

Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony says gas costs may exceed the record costs Oklahomans paid to stay warm two years ago.

Figures compiled by the Corporation Commission's staff indicate that natural gas costs this winter will be more than 20% higher than they were in 2001.

Wholesale natural gas prices have been around $6 per thousand cubic feet this summer, about double last year's rate.

Figures indicate the average residential gas bill last summer was about $20. Higher natural gas costs have pushed this summer's average to more than $26.