By: David Friend, THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO - A rush of cold air could wash over Ontario this fall when residents get their first glimpse at natural gas bills that include higher prices which went into effect on Canada Day. Consumers will face gas bills that are as much as 45 per cent higher than what they're used to paying, depending on where they live, and that could convince many to sign energy contracts to cut their costs. That's good news for people like Clinton Roeder, general manager of Direct Energy, an independent retailer that specializes in long-term energy contracts that lock-in customers to a set natural gas price for one to five years. "When you look at where the (natural gas) market's currently at, the market hasn't been this high since the months following hurricane Rita and hurricane Katrina," he said....
[read full story]