Report: NC utility hikes shutoffs for nonpayment - Forbes.com

A North Carolina utility has increased the number of shutoffs of natural gas service for customers who can't pay in the cold weather.

The Charlotte Observer reported Monday that Piedmont Natural Gas (nyse: PNY - news - people ) shutoffs have surged around Charlotte.
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The newspaper said shutoffs in the Charlotte are increased by 86 percent from November through February, compared to the same period a year ago.

Fairbanks: Cold March

Relatively chilly temperatures during the past 10 days might cause a few grumbles about our missing “spring,” but the cool weather has delivered at least one blessing — the ice used in the annual sculpture festival is as solid as the day it was pulled from the pond.
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Since then, however, the weather has been exceptionally cooperative for the preservation of one of Alaska’s premier products — ice.

March 12 was the most recent day on which temperatures were higher than normal for the season. The thermometers since then have been averaging 10 to 20 degrees colder than usual. As of Saturday, the month’s heating degree days — a measure of how much energy it takes to keep a home warm — were running more than 10 percent above normal.

Denali Park: Still darn cold

The temperature in Denali Park on Thursday morning was 30 degrees below zero.

“It’s still darn cold,” Taylor said. “That really slows our equipment down, and the ice builds more in really cold weather.”