Despite recent colder days both December and January were warmer than normal and that did not help utilities generate revenue.

Jefferson Cocke County Utility District sold less natural gas during the warmer December, utility General Manager Tommy Bible reported to the board of commissioners. But a future contract with a pipeline company could be worth millions of dollars in savings to local ratepayers and offset revenues losses.

The first winter month had 660 degree days where 722 is normal. The last warmer Decembers were in 2007 and 2001. And, Dec. 2010 with 1,048 degree days was the second coldest in 30 years.

January was 24 percent warmer than normal and continued December's warming trend," said Bible, reporting that total natural gas (NG) sales are down slightly to 1,547,522 thousand cubic feet (mcf) from April 1 thru Dec.

For more details, please see the Thursday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.