By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – Truly frightening.
That's how members of the North Dakota Public Service Commission describe the prospects for home heating costs this winter. They say homeowners should get ready for potentially record home heating bills.
Commissioner Kevin Cramer says there's increased demand for natural gas this summer. Gas has become a more common fuel for generating electricity. Hot weather in some parts of the country has meant more demand for electricity to power air conditioners.
"It's not often in July that we're talking about rising costs of natural gas," said Cramer. "The costs are rising, and with increased demand for home heating this fall and winter, that will exacerbate the problem."
Cramer says a lot will depend on how cold it gets during the winter.