Experts say drivers could soon be paying more at the gas pump, as the nation s largest oil refineries shut down to conserve power.
Natural gas prices rose more than 7% during this wave of extremely cold weather across large parts of the country.
Winter weather is overwhelming power grids unprepared for climate change, leaving millions without electricity in record-breaking cold.
At least 20 people have died, some while struggling to find warmth inside their homes. In the Houston area, one family succumbed to carbon monoxide from car exhaust in their garage; another perished after flames spread from their fireplace.
Blame the polar vortex, a weather pattern that usually keeps to the arctic, but is increasingly visiting lower latitudes and staying beyond its welcome. Scientists say climate change caused by humans is partly responsible for making its southward escapes longer and more frequent.
washington state congresswoman who delivered the republican response to the state of the union, the office of congressional ethics has now recommended the house ethics committee conduct a full investigation into whether mcmorris rodgers improperly used campaign funds. no news yet whether that probe will move forward. chris christie back in new jersey today, a day after visiting texas for a republican fund-raising trip. the meetings were closed to the media, so we don t know what he said to potential donors about the scandals in his administration, but we do know two prominent republicans stayed away. governor rick perry and attorney general greg abbott. perry s spokesman said perry was pleased to have christie in his state. in california, energy officials are asking residents to conserve gas and electricity until 10:00 tonight. this coming after bitter cold in the midwest and east caused a natural gas shortage at plants in california. residents are asked to turn off lights, turn do
mets owners say they are the victims themselves. rare, cold weather in new mexico led to a natural gas shortage for the state. the governor has declared a state of emergency and ordered all government offices and schools closed today. verizon customers trying to get an apple iphone on line out of luck. the company stopped selling preorders for the phone after breaking a first-day record in two hours. iphone will go on sale in stores next week. the tribute on the front line of the university of arizona medical center for victims of the tucson tragedy is being mataken down. cards, flowers and stuffed animals will be stores until the community decides in an appropriate way to display them. in a few minutes, mark kelly, commander of the space shuttle endeavour will hold always news conference to announce if he will fly on the mission slated for april. he will resume training month.