Winter cold creates big heating bills

Now that the winter heating season is underway, utilities are getting a better handle on just how much more it’ll cost Iowans to heat their homes for the next several months. John Ruff, spokesman for Alliant Energy, says the rising petroleum prices are being passed along to consumers.The increase in natural gas prices will cost customers 200 to 250-dollars more over five months compared to the same period a year ago. Ruff says there are options that may soften the blow, such as signing up for budget billing to spread the costs over the year.