With the impact of rising fuel costs on winter heating bills in the headlines, be prepared to communicate with consumers using a newly updated brochure, question-and-answer document, and news release.

According to the Energy Information Administration, consumers can expect to pay 71 percent more for natural gas, 17 percent more for electricity, 31 percent more for heating oil, and 40 percent more for propane than they did last winter.

The news release addresses winter fuel costs and presents useful weatherization tips and top ways to save on winter heating bills both in the short-term and long-term. This structure allows consumers to have immediate ways to save while still providing longer-term ideas for the rest of the winter. The news release will be distributed nationwide, but also provide copies to consumers and local media. 

Also available is a detailed question-and-answer document, “What’s Up With Propane and Other Fuel Prices,” which is a guide for anyone faced with the tough questions related to increasing fuel costs. The document also includes a response for questions regarding Hurricane Katrina’s effects on fuel prices.  In addition, an updated consumer price and supply bill stuffer will soon be available through the Propane Industry Resource Catalog. The brochure explains price and supply issues, promotes the efficiency and good value of propane, and provides weatherization tips to help lower energy costs. 

For information, contact PERC’s Tracy Burleson at tracy.burleson@propanecouncil.org or (202) 452-8975.