Getting heated over heating bills

The warnings came months ago - higher gas bills on the horizon. And obviously, to the shock of those with opened envelopes in hand, that time has come.

Northwestern Energy's latest natural gas bills are notably higher for many Flathead residents, largely because of a cold December but also because wholesale gas prices have been at a near all-time high, according to the utility.

Natural gas prices are 40-50 percent higher now than they were just a year ago. Four days of record lows in the Flathead, along with only a handful of days with temperatures above freezing, combined with the high gas prices to hit consumers with a "double-whammy," according to a spokeswoman for Northwestern Energy.

And there isn't any indication that volatile natural gas markets will stabilize anytime soon.

So what to do, other than complain?

Obviously, any effort to conserve gas use, such as improved insulation, less use on warmer days or selectively heating at times when a house is occupied, will help curb billing costs.

Seeing the potential for dramatic billing increases, Northwestern held a series of clinics in Montana through October, providing several thousand free kits with miscellaneous items, such as weather stripping for windows, to improve home insulation. Another round of similar clinics is scheduled to be held in February.

The utility also set aside $1 million for a new grant program to provide heating assistance to those who meet certain criteria.

There are other heating assistance programs available. Gov. Brian Schweitzer issued an emergency declaration this week that provided about $2.5 million in home heating cost relief.

To qualify, participants must have a household income no greater than 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

For more information on that program, call 1-800-332-2272.

For more information on Northwestern Energy's programs on the Internet, go to http://www.northwesternenergy.com

The bottom line is that heat is an absolute necessity, especially in Montana, so there is no way to avoid some impact from these higher prices. We each need to do what we can for ourselves, and we should also remember that those who are less fortunate may need a helping hand. Churches and other charity-minded organizations might want to make a special effort to make sure that those on limited incomes are making it through the winter safe and sound.