Sting

Electricity providers around the country, already feeling the sting of abnormally high natural gas prices, are bracing for prices to climb to even loftier levels next year. At the same time they said they don’t anticipate blackouts this summer or Congress passing climate-change legislation.

Most market areas were still feeling the sting of winter chill Monday, but forecasts for moderating weather trends this week took prices lower at all points. Cash quotes also were depressed by last Friday’s 42.2-cent dive in January futures.