PBS On Blacks And Energy
Posted by Sonja Ebron
Check out this 10-minute PBS Online story on how Blacks are coping with the recent rise in energy prices. High gas prices and utility rates are taking a bigger bite out of typically lower Black household incomes. People are juggling transportation and food issues along with trying to keep the lights on. Luckily, the story covered some weatherization projects, the best way to combat high home energy costs. But there’s so much more that can be done.
There’s a short mention of blackEnergy midway through on the difference between the last oil crisis and this one — pointing out that price will be the rationing force this time around. We need a new deal.
Expensive Heat This Winter
Posted by Sonja Ebron
By all accounts, heating our homes will be very expensive this winter. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) projects large increases in heating costs for all fuels this coming season, which runs from October through March. NEADA is the group of state agencies that handles LIHEAP funding for low-income residents nationwide. A recent NEADA study (PDF) shows an average 15% increase in heating costs this winter, capping a 42% increase over the last four years. Those using heating oil fare the worst: they will pay 32% more this winter than last, capping a 116% increase over the last four years. As you might expect, all-electric homes fare best in winter, with only a 4% increase this year and a 22% increase over the last four years.
Wholesale natural gas prices have been crazy this year, as high as they were after Katrina and Rita knocked out gas production in the Gulf three years ago. After peaking around $14 per million BTU, they’ve settled at just under $12 as of this writing. That’s about a 25% rise in price over the last year. Residential natural gas rates have risen accordingly, ranging from $1.59 to $1.82 per therm for a 12-month contract in Georgia. blackEnergy has offered only variable rates for the last three months. We’re betting — guessing, really — that prices will settle before the winter sets in, and we can recommend a good 12-month lock-in rate for our customers. Either way, it’s going to be a tough winter for those using oil, propane or natural gas.
