The Threat of Higher Heating Bills Can be Really Scary
Posted on October 31, 2011 by Ghassan Ammar
Tags, Consumers and Utility Customers
We’ve been fortunate to have a beautiful autumn here in Oregon, and trick-or-treaters don’t have to trudge through snow like those in the Northeast. But the chill in the air is a reminder that winter is fast approaching, and with it higher heating bills.
As CUB’s executive director, Bob Jenks, recently wrote, there are a lot of families struggling to pay for their energy bills, with more than 27,000 households having their power shut off during the first half of 2011. While CUB always leads the fight to keep utility bills low for all Oregonians, we’re entering the season when the need for heat and electricity is vital—but assistance for these programs is rising drastically. Meeting these heating needs is a big challenge during a hard economic time when many families’ situations haven’t improved or have even worsened. We fear that many more families may face the risk of having their electricity or gas service shut off this winter..
Fortunately, there are a number of services available for families in need of energy assistance, such as Oregon HEAT, and in the Portland area Impact Northwest. Throughout the state, Community Action Partnership works tirelessly and with few resources to help families make it through the winter, and in Portland the Community Energy Project holds workshops and provides resources to help folks conserve energy and weatherize their residences. Oregon.gov also has a list of resources for meeting energy needs, including energy bill assistance and weatherization tools.
To find services in your area, 2-1-1 info is available to help and refer people to the proper programs that have immediate assistance available. Visit their website, or dial 2-1-1 from your mobile or landline.
While the above programs may help residents reduce their current bills, other forms of assistance are available to help consumers reduce their consumption or to finance renovations that will help keep futures energy bills down. Two great examples are the Energy Trust of Oregon and Clean Energy Works Oregon. Check out their websites for information on getting a home energy audit and assistance financing home energy improvements or finding contractors who specialize in this type of work and who can help you take advantage of applicable rebates and tax incentives.
While we’re enjoying fall weather here for a few more weeks, it’s time to start thinking now about what the winter will bring.
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03/27/17 | 0 Comments | The Threat of Higher Heating Bills Can be Really Scary