LANSING, MI (AP)-- The U.S. Energy Department forecasts heating bills for Michigan residents will be lower this winter due to milder temperatures and more affordable fuel.
The Detroit News reports the department expects temperatures in the Midwest region to be 16 percent warmer than last year. It says the increase will reduce homeowners' oil and gas use and keep their costs down.
The price of natural gas is expected to stay the same in Michigan this year despite rising costs nationwide. A Consumers Energy spokesman says the utility buys gas when costs are lower and stores it for future use to avoid buying it at peak prices.
A spokeswoman for the Michigan agency that oversees energy says the state's forecast report won't come out before the end of October.