US energy spending to jump 18 pct in 2005-US govt

[sabra]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07175690.htm

US energy spending to jump 18 pct in 2005-US govt

WASHINGTON, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Hurricane Katrina's disruption of an already-tight oil and natural gas market will boost American consumers' heating bills this winter and push total 2005 U.S. energy expenditures to $1.03 trillion, up 18 percent from 2004, the U.S. government said on Wednesday.

Although oil and natural gas prices will ease somewhat from the record highs hit immediately after Katrina slammed into Louisiana and Mississippi, prices will remain high compared to last year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said.

"Dramatic increases in domestic energy costs, assisted by everything from tight world oil markets, to blistering summer heat, to the ravages of Hurricane Katrina, have made for an exasperating summer for many consumers and have set the stage for a potentially expensive winter heating season beginning a month or two from now," the EIA said.

Higher energy prices will eat up the biggest percentage share of the nation's gross domestic product in nearly 20 years, the government said.

[TexasLawyer]

1. kick

[bemildred]

2. 18% my ass. nt

[Erika]

3. W's buddies ships came in

and our buying power keeps being reduced.