High energy costs could make for rough winter

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ As natural gas prices surge, Oklahoma utilities are bracing for what could be a financially difficult winter for many of their customers. <br/><br/>State regulations require utilities

Sunday, October 10th 2004, 2:28 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ As natural gas prices surge, Oklahoma utilities are bracing for what could be a financially difficult winter for many of their customers.

State regulations require utilities to notify customers at least 10 days before and again 48 hours before they cut off gas service. Utilities also are prevented from terminating the service when the daytime high is below freezing or when the nighttime low drops below 20 degrees.

Natural gas prices this winter are expected to average about 11 percent higher than one year ago, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Propane is expected to be up 17 percent, and heating oil is likely to climb about 29 percent.

``We are trying to communicate with our customers and let them know ahead of time that it could be an expensive winter and what they need to do if they have difficulty paying their bills,'' said Alicia Dixon, spokeswoman for Centerpoint Arkla.

Dixon and ONG spokesman Don Sherry both said the most important thing for customers to do if they are having trouble with their bills is to let their utilities know about the problem before the bills are due.

``It would be far better for us to work with someone early in the process to prevent the situation from in any way impairing someone's natural gas service,'' Sherry said. ``If you think you are going to have difficulty paying on time, the first and most important thing is to talk to us. If you let us know before you're in arrears, it's much easier to work from there.

``Disconnecting service is the last thing we want to do,'' Sherry said. ``We do it only when we are compelled to and only after requests for payment have been made and we have been unable to get the situation resolved in another fashion.''

Both ONG and Centerpoint Arkla offer averaged billing plans, in which customers pay roughly the same amount from month to month. This plan allows customers to pay the same amount each year as they would otherwise, but instead of paying much more in winter months than in summer months, they pay an average price every month for a year.

ONG customers have the option every month to contribute money to the Share the Warmth program, which is administered by the Salvation Army. The program is designed primarily to help senior citizens and people with disabilities, as well as people with short-term needs who don't qualify for government aid.

``Our customers have been very generous through this program,'' Sherry said. ``We have 800,000 customers. If all or a substantial amount would give just a little bit, it would have a significant impact.''

Heating bills can be minimized by:

_ Cleaning furnace filters. Dirty filters can restrict airflow and increase operating costs by up to 10 percent.

_ Caulking and weather-stripping windows and doors to seal drafts. Electrical outlets can be weatherized with foam gaskets. Permanent and or temporary storm windows can also be installed.

_ Setting the thermostat at 68 degrees when the temperature drops. Heating costs increase by 3 percent for each degree the thermostat is set above 68 degrees. At night, turn the thermostat down at least 5 degrees.

_ Set the water heater temperature at 120 degrees.

_ Insulate exterior walls, attic, crawl spaces and foundation sill plates.

_ Inspect ductwork in the attic to make sure it has not become disconnected or obstructed.

The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can provide financial help.

Qualifying families can receive a once-per-year benefit each December of $57 to $129, depending on income level.