Saving big bucks: Consumers, businesses reap benefits of lower energy costs.(also, warm weather helps lower expenses)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

President George W. Bush's $600 tax rebate is peanuts compared with the economic impact of lower energy costs and record-breaking warm weather during the fourth quarter of 2001.

Consumers and businesses alike have saved big bucks on energy costs in the past three months.

Natural gas prices of 61 cents per therm in December are 35 percent lower than a year ago. The price for natural gas in January 2002 will decline even further from prior-year levels. At a range of 60 to 70 cents per therm, prices will be down 39 percent to 47 percent from $1.14 in the beginning of 2001.

A therm is away of measuring heat that is equal to 100,000 British Thermal Units …