Prepare to pay more for heat

Talk about it

Weather forecasters expect above-normal temperatures for the upcoming winter, but energy-industry officials expect that customers will pay more for heat.

We Energies, Wisconsin’s largest natural gas utilities, expects customers to pay 9% more than a year ago. The Wisconsin Public Service utility projects a 7%-8% increase for natural gas this winter, with an average increase of $10 a month.

Xcel Energy of Eau Claire and Wisconsin Power and Light of Madison both expect their bills to jump 10%-15%.

Madison Gas and Electric is telling customers to prepare for an 18% hike from last winter. The federal government says natural-gas costs will jump 15% nationally, and 19% in the Midwest.

Heating oil prices are projected to rise 19%, and propane costs by 13%.

Tags: wisconsin, business, money