LP Gas, December 2010
State of the InDuStry 2010 Uncontrollables versUs expectations Figure 12 Continued from page 36 Regardless of our not being able to control even one iota of the weather you cant help wondering how your weather can be so different than regional forecasts One look at this climate zone map and youll see how your weather stacks up in reality within the country as Mother Nature does not follow man made regional charts t he big current story about weather is that much of the United States will have less wintry chill than last heating season only the northeastern and western seaboards expecting to turn up the heat more often than last winter Milder weather from Texas northeastward through Kentucky in particular will dampen energy sales Aside from the impact of weather and consumer energy conservation varied regional pricing of propane is apparent in home heating season expenditure Regionally during this heating season Northeast consumers will pay a six month average of 280 per gallon the Midwest 196 the South 251 and the West 245 Particularly in light of NOAAs forecast calling for a warmer winter this year than last year propane supply for the heating season is not expected to be a concern Wholesale U S Climate Zones EIA 2004 prices during last years heating season averaged 109 at the end of 2009 to 123 at the beginning of 2010 This seasons forecast is for an average of 123 at the end of 2010 120 at the beginning of 2011 End of period inventory forecasts are slightly higher than last year 523 million barrels at the end of December dropping to 283 by the end of March Continued on page 40 38 LPGas December 2010 www LPGasmagazine com
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