Oct. 10--There will be plenty of available heat this winter and at lower costs, according to the utilities and the Michigan Public Service Commission.

"The outlook shows that energy supplies in Michigan this winter will be more than adequate to anticipated demand," according to the Michigan Public Service Commission's annual energy appraisal.

And both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy said Friday that a steep drop in the price of natural gas will cause bills to shrink this winter.

"Last year, the average monthly bill was $178 and it will be about $10 lower this year," said Scott Simons, spokesman for DTE Energy, which has about 1.2 million natural gas customers in the state.

Consumers Energy, which serves about 1.7 million Michigan households including 1.5 million in metro Detroit, expects the average $156 monthly bill will go down by $2 or $3 a month, said Dan Bishop, spokesman for the utility.

In addition to the drop in the price of natural gas, customers are also using less energy, the utilities reported.

"They're insulating their homes and dialing down their thermostats," Simons said.

After a colder than normal winter last year, the National Weather Service is predicting that the coming winter will be warmer, further depressing demand for heat.

The MPSC also reported that vehicle gasoline sales will continue to decline, continuing a six-year trend of lower sales. Projected sales over the next year are 4.2 million gallons in Michigan, down from the 4.3 million gallons purchased in 2008.

Contact KATHLEEN GRAY: 313-223-4407 or kgray99@freepress.com

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