The November gas futures contract is currently trading at $3.69, $0.16 higher than it settled yesterday. The 12 month strip is trading at $4.07/MMBtu and next year's winter strip (Nov 11 - Mar 12) is trading at $3.97/MMBtu.

5 Key Steps to Energy Independence

While congressman struggle to come up with ideas to help fix this broken economy, there are many things that could be done right now without having to pass any bills. All we need is for Washington to weaken the EPA's control over the American oil and gas industry.

The following are five simple ways we can increase jobs, lower our dependence on foreign energy, lower the price we pay for energy, and strengthen our economy:

1.  Re-open US continental shelf to exploration and production of oil and natural gas

2.  Expedite the permitting process in the Arctic region

3.  Remove unnecessary impediments to exploration and production on federal lands

4.  Approve the Keystone XL pipeline to bring oil in from Canada

5.  Accept that Hydraulic Fracturing is absolutely environmentally safe, and is the key to turning America to the Saudi Arabia of the 21^st century.

Weather Update: Winter Forecast

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the three month outlook for December, January, and February is expected to have below average temperatures in the Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania regions, with average precipitation.

Storage Update

Working gas in storage was 3,521 Bcf as of Friday, October 7. This indicates a net increase of 112 Bcf from the previous week.

Stocks were 56 Bcf less than last year at this time and 68 Bcf above the 5-year average of 3,453 Bcf.