John Kerry: “families all over this country are going to pay more to heat their homes this winter than they ever have before. The…”

“families all over this country are going to pay more to heat their homes this winter than they ever have before. The average heating bill may climb more than $600, and that comes on top of a record increase last winter. This is going to be one of the most expensive winters on record. Last week, the Energy Information Administration, EIA, released its Short-Term Energy Outlook. The report shows that families--particularly low-income families and seniors--are facing an increasingly more expensive heating season. According to the EIA, this winter, residential space-heating expenditures are projected to increase for all fuel types compared to last year. On average, households heating primarily with natural gas are expected to spend about $350--48 percent--more this winter in fuel expenditures. Households heating primarily with heating oil are expected to pay $378--32 percent--more this winter. Households heating primarily with propane can expect to pay $325--30 percent--more this winter. If our weather is colder than usual, expenditures will be significantly higher. Millions of families who simply need to heat their homes are going to face prices they cannot afford. They will choose between medicine, food, and warmth. It is a tough choice to make.…”