MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Home-heating costs for We Energies customers hit an all-time high this winter, rising about 10 percent for the average customer.

That's according to figures released Tuesday for the six-month heating season that ended April 30.

Utility spokesman Brian Manthey says it was the third coldest winter in the past 20 years and that drives up costs. He says temperatures were 10 percent colder than normal.

The higher costs translated to an extra $75 to $80 for the typical customer.

It's possible next year won't be any better. Natural gas futures prices have risen 53 percent so far this year.

Electricity rates just rose an extra $2.24 a month for the average residential customer because of the increase in gas prices.