Cold truth: Winter heat bills will soar

The Pioneer Press helps you think about the pain beyond the gas pump right now.Wait until winter:

If you think filling up the Explorer is painful, if you use natural gas in your home, just wait until you open your first heating bill this winter.

Heating costs in Minnesota are expected jump nearly one-third this winter from last season's historic highs. The cause? Natural gas prices have soared more than 75 percent in the past year.

Blame our growing appetite for natural gas — it's outstripping the supply — and high crude oil prices.

Assuming a typical winter, it all adds up to heating bills that are expected to be 30 percent above last year

When the government tells you inflation is not a problem think again.The odds look good for a recession in the next 24 to 30 months.