Strong El Niño helps reduce U.S. winter heating demand and fuel prices

Above-normal temperatures during the 2015-16 winter were a key factor in lowering heating demand and winter fuel expenditures. Compared with the 2014-15 winter, propane and heating oil demand decreased 16% and 45%, respectively, and residential electricity demand decreased by 6%. The 2015-16 winter season (October to March) was 15% warmer than last winter, driven in part by one of the strongest El Niño events in decades. More »