Heating Oil Efficiency
The Northeast states are in a crisis over soaring heating oil prices, which have tripled since 2001. Consumers and oil distributors throughout the region are worried about the coming winter and government officials and others are working to find solutions.
Background
The Northeast relies heavily on fuel oil for space and water heating in homes and businesses. This dependence on imported fuel oil leaves the region vulnerable to unreliable supply and price fluctuations that can be a significant drain on the local economy.
Northeastern states have already taken some measures to alleviate demand for natural gas and oil through efficiency programs. Maine (March 2005) and Rhode Island (June 2006) have established natural gas efficiency funds, and Connecticut’s latest energy bill (June 2007) establishes the nation’s first home heating oil efficiency fund and includes a mandate for decoupling gas revenues from sales.
ENE continues to work at the state and regional levels to expand funding for and improve programs that deliver efficiency benefits to consumers throughout the Northeast.
