MidAmerican Energy to public: Bend over

Those who use natural gas to heat their homes should brace themselves for prices that are expected to be 30 to 40 percent higher this winter than last.

Allan Urlis, director of media relations for MidAmerican Energy Co., said there are three factors contributing to the projected increase in the price of natural gas: increasing prices for crude oil, high demand for natural gas to generate power to run air conditioners during a summer heat wave, and higher than normal tropical storm activity.

Tropical storms have disrupted natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico, the source for 25 percent of the natural gas used in the United States, Urlis said.

Ouch! Gotta love this Bush economy. But look at the bright side. This could be an opportunity to get rid of some clutter by burning old furniture for heat.