Americans spent $8.3 billion keeping warm in...

Americans spent $8.3 billion keeping warm in February, $340 million more than normal for the month, according to the monthly report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Heating bills were above normal for the colder-than-usual month in every region except New England and the Mountain and Pacific Coast states, the study reported. On average, American homeowners spent $115.72 for heat during the month, $4.73 more than would have been expected with normal February weather. The average cost of residential heating in California, Washington and Oregon was $58.09, $5.71 below normal.