                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 1997                TAG: 9703110090
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: B-6  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MAG POFF

GAS USAGE

A "dramatically warmer" February than last year caused a drop in demand for natural gas, said John Williamson, vice president of rates and finance for Roanoke Gas Co. The number of residential customers grew from last year, he said, while industrial customers used more gas than a year ago.

But the number of heating degree days fell 18 percent, from 746 last year to 608 last month, Williamson said. The measure represents the total daily variance from 65 degrees and is the standard at utility companies to gauge temperature's impact on demand for heating fuels.

LENGTH: Short :   22 lines
ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC:  Chart. color.

by CNB