Fuel Shortages

Archive Report

Threat of National Heating Crisis

Developing Shortages of Major Heating Fuels

A shortage of heating fuel and electricity threatens to envelop the nation this winter. Demand for the three lead-ins fuels—coal, natural gas and residual oil—is running well ahead of current production. The shortage could be especially severe in the case of an unusually cold winter. Colder-than-average temperatures have been forecast for the eastern and southern states and warmer temperatures for most of the West. Barring unforeseen developments, rapidly rising fuel bills and disruptions of utility service appear in the offing.

The pinch may be felt the hardest in the electric utility industry, which burns more than halt the nation's coal supplies and large amounts of other fuels for electric power production. Utilities all over the country ...

locked icon

Sign in to access this content

Get a 30 day FREE TRIAL

  • Watch videos from a variety of sources bringing classroom topics to life
  • Read modern, diverse business cases
  • Explore hundreds of books and reference titles