Atrios bought space heaters. Others have less flexibiliy. Tapped links a WaPo article about the Senate killing an effort to provide funds to the LIHEAP program to help poor people afford winter heating. I've seen estimates from local media that our natural gas bills could go up as much as 50% (on top of the 27% of our health care that Armand wrote about). In a poor mountainous state with rough winters, this is bad news for people at or below the poverty line.
This issue has gotten some attention in the last few months, but people (particularly residents in the West and Midwest, where natural gas heating is most prevalent) are still very likely going to be shocked at what happens to their home heating bills in the next few months. For low-income citizens, the "heat or eat" dilemma posed by cold weather shocks is a very real one (PDF), and this winter's going to pose a particularly acute problem.
Good links to more policy analysis and projections. Check it out.
Posted by binky at October 27, 2005 04:48 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Politics59? Seriously? You? So are you shuddering 100% of the time when you aren't in front of the fire? I hope not.
Posted by: Armand at October 27, 2005 05:32 PM | PERMALINKSeriously. 59 degrees. I am wearing wool socks, a hat, and a muffler (aka scarf) inside the house. I am staying inside the "fire room" with all the animals, then freeze in other rooms until we all go to the bedroom (above the fire room, and thus warmish) to sleep.
Posted by: binky at October 27, 2005 05:55 PM | PERMALINKMy word... Anything below 70, and I can't type.
But I put the thermostat down to 60 at night, and I sleep under 3 satin quilts & a wool blanket, in flannel pajamas.
My place is well insulated, so the heat's yet to go on while I'm asleep. But I dread the coming winter, I think it's going to be a cold one.
I'm toasty under the wool, but getting out is a major production.
I can't say enough about wool sweaters, wool blankets, and wool anything.
One thin wool blanket can do what 6 quilts can't.
However, I don't have much to complain about. I live in a modest sized apartment with electric heat.
I remember way back when, when I would never have taken an apartment with electric heat, because it was the most expensive type.
Yeah, it's all wallet related. I normally set it on 62, but with the bills expected to be as high as they are this year, it'll be a killer. I love my house, but it was built to have coal burning in multiple orifices throughout the winter. The retro radiator heat does a good job once it gets cranked up, but still. This is what's called "only being able to afford an old house with 'character.'" The upside is that I don't have air conditioning in the summer, and don't miss it a bit.
Posted by: binky at October 28, 2005 09:39 AM | PERMALINKi blew all this money upon closing in august to install a brand-new furnace (prompted by some major arm-twisting from the insurer i wanted), replacing the 1930-s era NG Reem behemoth, and even with that, given my old drafty house, i'm starting the winter with it set for 58 in off hours and during sleeptime and no higher than 62 any other time. it's fine, if i stay away from the windows. :-)
Posted by: moon at October 28, 2005 10:16 AM | PERMALINKMake friends with the hairdryer film stuff for the windows.
Posted by: binky at October 28, 2005 10:26 AM | PERMALINKalready have enough of it to handle most of my 20-some windows. just haven't put it up yet.
Posted by: moon at October 28, 2005 10:30 AM | PERMALINK