? The high cost of oil has taken its toll on southwestern Connecticut, forcing creative measures for saving money in the coming months.

Members of the Clean Energy Committee in Redding hope to prepare the community for winter by proposing a co-operative for home oil. The co-op would search for the best prices from distributors while looking into possible group buying rates.

Energy experts say while the price of oil has gone done, tropical storm Gustav could drive them right back up if it damages drilling rigs in the Gulf Coast.

The committee, now in the planning phase, hopes to have something in place before winter.