Heating oil

Governor Says Surplus Should Be Set Aside Solely for Heating Help

August 13, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today called on the General Assembly to take swift action on her proposals to provide energy relief to Connecticut families this winter during the August 22 special session. The Governor also re-emphasized that the Legislature should direct the entire state budget surplus to heating assistance programs.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that the state is extending lines of credit to the hundreds of Connecticut fuel oil dealers facing soaring business costs this winter because of record fuel oil prices.

“The ripple of effect of high fuel prices is having a tremendous impact on everyone,” Governor Rell said. “It is likely that half of the 549 fuel oil dealers in Connecticut will need some assistance to buy their home heating oil from wholesalers. Most of these dealers are small companies with less than five trucks.”    » read more »

Monte Carlo and Forecasting Hurricanes

The gaming rooms at Monaco’s famous Monte Carlo Casino resonate with people trying their luck at the baccarat, poker, and craps tables. No one knows who will break the bank or who will go home broke. Although wise gamblers carefully consider the odds, or estimates of expected results, when placing their bets, they also understand there’s no such thing as a “sure thing” in a casino.    » read more »

Good, Better, and Best-A Comparison of Weekly, Monthly, and Annual Data

When buyers are confronted with a major purchase, they often weigh their options by considering whether to buy a “good,” “better,” or “best” product. All three have advantages and disadvantages. The same holds true when using Energy Information Administration (EIA) petroleum supply data because analysts have the option of using weekly, monthly, or annual data, depending on their needs.

As highlighted in the recently published article Accuracy of Petroleum Supply Data, oil data collected by the EIA showed an improvement in the accuracy of the 2006 data from initial estimates (weekly), to interim values (monthly), to final values (annual).    » read more »

Memorial Day Gasoline Prices

Despite cool weather along the East Coast over the past several weeks, Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to the summer driving season is upon us. Some may interpret recent increases in gasoline prices as yet another manifestation of a long-standing tendency for gasoline prices to rise dramatically in the days before the holiday weekend.

Memorial Day gas prices: DOE chart    » read more »

Going the Way of the Typewriter?

A generation is growing up in the United States with no idea what a typewriter is! Once an important part of the work place, typewriters are almost impossible to find these days. Will the same be said about home heating oil tanks, outside limited areas, several generations from now?

Home heating chart    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- If winter is the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” as the popular song implies, it may not be too much of a surprise that gasoline consumers find the spring and summer anything but wonderful, when it comes to prices. This year’s upcoming spring and summer are expected to see retail gasoline prices rise even further from current high levels.

Seasonal increases in gasoline demand    » read more »