Wis. utilities say cost to heat homes with natural gas dropping

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The price of natural gas is at its lowest point in nearly 7 and a half years. That has Wisconsin utilities predicting lower costs to heat a home this winter.

The price of the fuel has dropped by nearly 80 percent since a year ago. Reduced manufacturing because of the economic downturn and surging national gas supplies are factors in the price decline.

Alliant Energy Corp. in Madison is telling customers that home heating costs could drop 20 percent to 25 percent during the six-month heating season. Madison Gas & Electric Co. is predicting a cost cut of at least 15 percent, while Wisconsin Public Service Corp. of Green Bay is projecting a drop of about 15 percent to 20 percent.

We Energies of Milwaukee says only that a price break is possible.