Home Fuel Bills Show No Sign of Mild Winter

Americans have spent more money heating their homes this winter than in a generation, despite mild weather that has kept down the consumption of heating fuel.

State and local governments have enlisted Boy Scouts to insulate homes, offered tax breaks on fuel efficient products and even recycled newspaper to make insulation to warm the homes of poor residents in one of the nation’s frostier states.

This week, President Bush signed a bill to provide $1 billion in federal energy assistance to poor households in addition to $2 billion already allocated this year. Congress has battled over legislation to provide help for the coldest states, and the law this week includes the most money ever allotted for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The price of heating oil reached $2.38 a gallon this winter, the highest price since 1981