CENTRAL OHIO -- Energy industry analysts have been speculating on how high and low heating prices will go this winter.
Energy prices fell by 17 percent in November -- that's nearly double the 8.6 percent decline in October.
NBC 4's Mikaela Hunt got right to the point with a report on how some residents could pay less in the future.
It's a change 25 years in the making for Ohio.
BOTTOMLINE: Families who are having a tough time paying their gas bills will get a bigger break in the coming year.
Cassandra Lovejoy is too sick to work. She's suffering from several mini-strokes and a severe case of diabetes.
She also lost her home to foreclosure this past year.
Considering all that loss, she's had to get help with her gas bill.
"You had to put your head back up at times. You felt … almost ashamed. It was hard," Lovejoy said.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has come up with a plan to help customers such as Lovejoy.
Wednesday, the commission restructured its payment plan for low-income families for the first time in 25 years.
Among the changed rules: Customers now will pay monthly 6 percent of their income instead of 10 percent. If those families pay on time, they'll get a credit on their bill.
Lovejoy said she likes the new idea but said she thinks more families should be eligible.
"I would encourage the PUCO to see if that level could be lifted up a little bit because right now the middle-income folks are really being squeezed," she said. "You take care of home first. You take care of home."
PUCO said the eligibility guideline it follows comes from the federal government. Therefore, Ohio's guidelines are impossible to change.
The restructured payment plan most likely will take effect next fall.
Stay with NBC 4 and refresh nbc4i.com for the latest information in this developing story.
To submit a story idea or news tip, e-mail stories@nbc4i.com.
MORE: NBC 4 Local News | Local Crime News
NBC 4 SPORTS: Sports News, Video
NBC 4 POLITICS: Headlines, Interactives & Video
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement