average natural gas bill in orange county
Orange and Rockland Utilities on Thursday predicted residential natural gas bills to be about 27.9 percent higher this winter. The average monthly winter natural gas bill is expected to increase $43.60, to $199.67 this winter, from $156.07. Anticipated higher supply costs will drive the increase after last winter, when natural gas prices were the lowest in 15 years, O&R spokesman Michael Donovan said. The higher anticipated cost, though, would be lower than seven of the past eight winters. The highest average monthly bill was $255.48 in 2009-10. Central Hudson Gas & Electric doesnât predict heating costs because of variables including weather and commodity prices, spokesman John Maserjian said. He said natural gas prices in September and October were about 15 percent lower than last year.