HAVE AN ENERGYSMART WINTER

Winter Energy Costs Across the United States, home heating and electricity costs are expected to be higher than last year. Prices for natural gas and other heating fuels, like oil and propane, have increased dramatically. Factors that affect price include the cost of the fuel itself, the amount of supply, demand and weather: w International and national markets determine natural gas and other fuel prices For example, about 98% of the natural gas we use in New York comes from outside the state, mostly from wells in the Gulf of Mexico and Alberta, Canada. Retail suppliers- utilities and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs)-buy the fuel and then arrange with interstate and international pipeline companies to have the gas delivered to utility distribution systems and eventually to you. The cost of the gas itself can have a large impact on your overall bill. For more information on New York's Natural Gas Outlook, check out PSC's Consumer Guide to Winter 2005-2006 brochure w Higher demand for energy continues to put upward pressure on prices When the amount of fuel available (i.e. supply) exceeds demand, prices can remain relatively stable. In recent years, however, supply and demand have been tightly balanced. Disruptions in the available supply or increased demand are reflected in prices. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have disrupted natural gas production and delayed delivery, tightening the gas market. w Colder than normal weather could force us to use more energy Your heating costs are affected by both the cost of the fuel you are using and the amount of fuel you use. Colder weather means an increase in the amount of fuel used by the averagehousehold.

How to Manage Your Winter Energy Costs No matter where prices go or what the heating season is like, you can make the most of your energy dollars by taking basic steps to lower your winter - and year-round - energy costs: 1. Conserve energy 2. Use Your Power to Choose 3. Consider bill payment options 4. Look into financial assistance programs

Press Releases, Television and Radio Ads

Newspaper: September 2005 Press Release - Commission Expands Winter Outreach and Education Efforts Newspaper Advertisements - Advertorials Television: To hear the NYS Consumer Protection Board's public service announcement featuring CPB Chairperson Theresa Santiago, click on the link below. EnergySmart Television Spot Note: this link will take you off of the AskPSC.com Web site. Radio: To hear the PSC radio spots, click on the links below. Click on the text only link for a written version of the radio ads. Theresa Santiago (English) Theresa Santiago (Spanish) Dr. Einstein (60 seconds) 30 second spot - female announcer 30 second spot - male announcer

PSC Publications Click on the links below to view or print copies of PSC publications concerning winter heating. All documents are pdf files. New York's Natural Gas Outlook - a consumer guide to winter 2005-06 How to Use Energy Wisely - steps to make energy more affordable and at the same time conserve energy and promote cleaner sustainable energy solutions Use Your Power to Choose - a guide to shopping for an energy supplier Conserve a little. Save a lot. - tips on conserving energy in the winter A Consumer Guide to Utility Service Tips, Assistance Programs and Protections

Additional Helpful Publications Click on the links below to view or print copies of publications concerning winter heating developed by government agencies and non-profit organizations. All documents are pdf files.
w	NYS Consumer Protection Board's Consumer Guide to Home Heating Oil, Propane and Consumer Assistance Programs
w	Consumer Energy Council of America's 2005 Consumer Heating Tips
w	U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Energy User's Guide available on the www.eere.energy.gov webiste. (Note: This link takes you off the AskPSC.com web site)

For More Information Note: The following links take you off the NYS Public Service Commission's AskPSC.com website.

New York State Agencies New York State Energy Research and Development Authority at: www.nyserda.org Get Energy Smart website at:www.GetEnergySmart.org New York State Consumer Protection Board at: www.consumer.state.ny.us Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance at: www.otda.state.ny.us Division of Housing and Community Renewal at www.dhcr.state.ny.us

United State Government Agencies USDOE- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at www.eere.energy.gov

Not-for-Profit Agencies Consumer Energy Council of America at www.cecarf.org