George Voinovich: “Yes, I do. Over the last decade, use of natural gas electricity generation has risen significantly while domestic…”

“Yes, I do. Over the last decade, use of natural gas electricity generation has risen significantly while domestic supplies of natural gas have fallen. The result is predictable: tightening supplies of natural gas, higher natural gas prices, and higher electricity prices. Home heating prices are up dramatically, forcing folks on low and fixed income to choose between heating their home and paying for other necessities such as food or medicine. Donald Mason, a commissioner on the Ohio Public Utilities Commission, testified earlier this year in the House Energy and Commerce Committee: In real terms, the home heating cost this winter will increase by at least $220 per household. That might sound not significant, but during the winter season of 2000-2001, one gas company in Ohio saw nonpayment jump from $10 million a year to $26 million. One of the amendments I supported in the Senate to the Labor-HHS bill would have provided more money for LIHEAP, the low-income help in heating costs. We will have a crisis this winter in natural gas costs. As a result of these heating cost increases, 50 percent more residential customers were disconnected from gas service last year than in 2001. I personally have seen natural gas go from $4 an MCF to $8 an MCF in heating bills in northeast Ohio and projections indicate this winter will be devastating on the elderly and low-income families who are already struggling to survive.”