Oil prices drop below $100

OIL PRICES FALL

Oil prices closed below $100 a barrel for the first time in six months Monday. Crude prices shed more than $5 a barrel to fall to $95.71 and have now given up virtually all their gains for the year, extending a steep, two-month slide from record levels above $147 a barrel.

COLD WINTER WILL BE COSTLY

ATLANTA --- State utility regulators on Monday warned natural gas consumers their heating bills could climb about 25 percent this winter.

Homeowners heating with natural gas will pay an average of $1,059, according to forecasts from the federal Energy Information Administration. That could be even higher if the season is especially cold.

Public Service Commission Chairman Chuck Eaton urged consumers to prepare now for what could be the highest natural gas prices seen since 2005, when hurricanes Katrina and Rita sent prices soaring.

He suggested consumers weatherize their homes to keep the cold out. He also advised checking with energy providers about "budget billing," which averages gas bills throughout the year to avoid winter spikes.

Consumers can compare pricing plans offered by natural gas marketers on the PSC Web site, www.psc.state.ga.us.

Low-income consumers can qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Visit www.dhr.ga.gov for more information.