Huge amount of Iowans delinquent on heat bills

[rurallib]

Jesus this is scary.

A record $40 million was owed by 226,670 delinquent customers of rate-regulated utilities statewide in March, says Jerry McKim of Iowa's Bureau of Energy Assistance. "What we have is a crisis that never goes away," and more federal and state assistance is needed, he says.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-04-24-shutoff_N.htm

I figure that must be about one-fourth of Iowa households.

[4dsc]

1. Its just the beginning..

I believe most of these bill's have occurred while natural gas prices were much lower than they are today.. Today's prices are well over $10 mbtu's which is up considerably from last year and don't look to come down anytime soon.. I wonder if this is because they would rather pay for gas in their car versus the heating bill..

[rurallib]

2. Things that used to be bare necessities

food, shelter, health care & medicine, heat and transportation have now become choices of which to pay how.

[progressoid]

3. Good Lord, a quarter of a million?

Xcel disconnects 600-650 customers daily

I know someone that had to do that for a living. She hated her job.