PITTSBURGH -- On Tuesday, the United Way of Allegheny County held its 2008 Stay Warm Energy Summit to help western Pennsylvanians prepare for a winter full of high energy bills.

With heating costs expected to spike as much as 30 percent from last year, the outlook does not look good for homeowners struggling to afford their heating bills.

“Home heating oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, they are all going up, mostly double digit rates,” said Pennsylvania Economic Development Secretary Dennis Yablonsky. “We're just concerned, particularly with low income and seniors that they don't get their heat turned off.

Pittsburgh is one of seven locations across Pennsylvania where more than 60 people gathered for Tuesday’s summit.

The event was organized by Gov. Ed Rendell and the United Way.

The summit aimed to unite local organization and community leaders in an effort to create a strategy for home owners to cut costs and save money.

Since 2001, home heating costs have increased 166 percent for heating oil, 44 percent for natural gas and 27 percent for electricity.

“The agencies that provide food, transportation and other basic services are all reporting to the United Way big increases of people asking for help, and a lot of people are asking for the first time,” said Bob Nelkin, president of the United Way of Allegheny County.

The state has unveiled a new Web site with tips for staying warm, information on financial aid, and safety points at TurnSealSave.org or 1-866-550-4355.

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