Utilities issue heat cost alert

By H. JOSEF HEBERT
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON - Heating bills could head through the roof this winter, the American Gas Association said Tuesday in alerting consumers to take steps now to conserve.

Utilities are stocked with plenty of natural gas but the supply came at a cost, the association said. Air conditioning demand during a warmer-than-usual summer pumped up energy prices, the group said.

Going forward, ‘‘The biggest driver for natural gas bills will be weather,’’ said Roger Cooper, executive vice president of the American Gas Association.

The AGA gave a briefing on the expected winter heating situation in advance of the Energy Department’s winter outlook report to be released today.

Paul Wilkinson, an AGA vice president, said despite storm-related production disruption in the Gulf, the industry is on track to reach a ‘‘comfortable’’ level of gas supply.

The amount is expected to be above the five-year average, he said.

However, much of that gas was bought by utilities at high prices. The cost of wholesale gas increased last summer because of greater than expected demand by power companies as a result of warm weather, the group said. The recent hurricanes caused the prices to spike higher.

Generally, states prohibit utilities from shutting off natural gas supplies to residential customers during winter months, although shutoffs can occur when the weather turns warmer if bills are not paid.