energy debt

Prepay gas meters?

Have any of you seen prepay gas meters in your community yet? Since a lot of people are expected to fall behind this winter they hope to introduce new meters like in Europe, that must be topped off to deliver energy. Like pay as you go cell phones, Internet, etc. What do you think?
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Can you afford their new expensive prices? EIA says energy could double "or more" over the next few years. Costs of heating and cooking could go up a lot.