Gas company to assist customers with utility costs

This winter, the sound of their heaters is having customers worried about their utility bills.

University of Kansas students Jessica Arthur and Jane Galdones like to keep their thermostat high. But this winter, comfort and warmth will come in second to saving money.

"This winter we will be keeping the heat off as much as possible," Arthur said. "We're all broke anyways."

After Hurricane Katrina hit, Kansas energy companies' gas prices soared. So they started formulating a plan to help their customers.

Chuck Hoag, Lawrence Aquila Operations Manager, said, "There were several gas companies in Kansas that approached her about getting the message out about the high gas prices. And through that coatlition of the gas companies and the governor's office, they came out with this web site."

The web site warmhelp.org helps Aquila customers keep their bills low. But spreading the message about the site is key.

"It came about because of the high gas prices," Hoag said. "We just needed to get the word out."

But as temperature drops, meter numbers are expected to rise. Hoag also encouraged people to layer their clothing, insulate their windows and keep their thermostat at a lower temperature.

Arthur and Galdones have already come up with strategies to combat the high energy bill. They all agreed to keep the thermostat turned down.

But even that could cause problems.

"Even though we put it at 70 and we like it that way, this room is colder than the upstairs room," Galdones said. "That's when the tension comes in."

For Galdones and Arthur, tension may go up as temperatures go down.

If temperatures are below average this winter, gas prices may increase by even more than 50 percent.