STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS

ENERGY AND COMMERCE HEARING

EIA'S REPORT ON SHORT-TERM ENERGY OUTLOOK AND WINTER FUELS OUTLOOK

October 19, 2005

First, I want to thank Chairman Barton for convening this hearing today.

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, many news reports and most of our constituents have focused on gasoline prices at the pump. While high gasoline prices are a very real concern, and will continue to be in the future, a looming issue is the expected increase in home heating costs this winter.

With a quarter of U.S. natural gas capacity shut in after the hurricanes, natural gas utilities had to suspend filling their storage tanks. These stores, which are used for the winter home heating season, are currently 162 Bcf less than last year at this time.

The supply shortage, when combined with the harsh winter that the National Weather Service is predicting, will result in higher prices for our constituents this winter.

I am hopeful that the EIA can provide us with information that will help us better prepare for the difficult winter ahead.