DOE's Bodman Says Short-Term Energy Prices May Rise
nergy Secretary Samuel Bodman Monday unveiled a new campaign to highlight how U.S. citizens, businesses and the federal government can save energy in response to what are likely to be increased energy costs and potentially shorter supplies this winter.
“As a result of tight oil and gas markets, and the damage done by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it’s likely that consumers will see an increase in their heating bills this winter,” Bodman said in a statement on the DOE’s Web site.
He told USA Today in an interview published Monday that the next six months could be a challenging time in getting energy supplies and prices to pre-hurricane levels and that there could be some energy shortages in the meantime.
Gasoline supplies are being supplemented by increased shipments from overseas, USA Today reported. But natural gas, the heating fuel for most Americans, can't easily be shipped, and forecasts say that tight gas supplies could result in home heating bills nearly doubling this winter, the paper said.
Diesel and home heating oil, both distillate fuels, often compete for stocks in winter months.
