Heating prices may exceed expectations The Associated Press 11/29/00 7:17 PM

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- The increase in heating prices for many homes may exceed expectations, according to new numbers by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

Original expectations put December prices at 50 percent above last year's rates, but that increase may be closer to 65 percent.

For a homeowner who paid about $50 a month last year for natural gas heating, the increase could mean a December bill of about $77.

Nationwide shortages and limited pipeline capacity in California have contributed to the increases in wholesale gas rates.

When relief might come is in doubt.

Bill Wood, a forecaster for the state Energy Commission, said wholesale prices may drop next winter as more resources are sought out.

But some energy experts say a significant decrease is unlikely, since prices for delivery at the state's borders are four times the national average.

http://www.oregonlive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?o0065_BC_CA--HeatingPrices&&news&newsflash-oregon

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), November 29, 2000