Low temperatures mean high heating costs

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Falling temperatures will mean higher heating costs in Oklahoma.

And authorities are gearing up to meet more demands for financial help to pay costly heating bills.

Oklahoma Natural Gas and the state Department of Human Services provide assistance to low-income families to help pay natural gas bills during the winter.

Over the years, (m) millions of dollars have been given to thousands of Oklahomans who fall behind on their heating bills.

But this coming winter could be their toughest financial test.

The heightened anxiety stems from natural gas prices and the federal government's prediction of a 60 percent spike in heating bills this winter.