Heating oil

INDIANAPOLIS (November 16, 2007) - The state is well-prepared to help Hoosiers who need financial assistance with winter fuel costs during the upcoming heating season, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said today.

"We've taken all the steps we can again this year to be ready to help Hoosiers. In addition, the state's largest utility companies will help people whose incomes are above 150 percent of poverty, much like the Help Thy Neighbor program has the last two years. We appreciate that," said the governor.    » read more »

Bill also contains $250 million increase for LIHEAP program to help families nationwide pay home heating bills

November 7, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today again urged President Bush to drop his veto threat and sign into law the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which funds more than $9.1 million for vital education and health care initiatives for Central Iowa. The Senate passed the bill with a bi-partisan vote of 56-37; the House will vote on the legislation before sending it to the President’s desk.    » read more »

November 6, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today called on the Administration to release heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.    » read more »

November 05, 2007 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today the release of $3.2 million of Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) crisis assistance funds to help low and fixed income households keep their homes warm this upcoming heating season.    » read more »

November 1, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced the annual launch of the home heating assistance program, which this year includes an increase in payments for low income New Yorkers and other key improvements to maximize the funds available.    » read more »

Strong Support For Congressional Action, Poll Shows

October 30, 2007 -- Washington, D.C.— As the price of oil rockets past $90 a barrel, consumers face the energy crunch on two fronts: typical winter relief at the gas pump is nowhere in sight, while home heating costs are increasing. A new report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA), http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/No_Time_To_Waste.pdf, details the alarming costs that consumers and the country are bearing as America’s energy situation deteriorates.    » read more »

Tank Tub Installation Demonstrations to protect tanks installed outside

October 31, 2007 -- (AUGUSTA)— The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is announcing two outdoor demonstration projects to promote the use of secondary containment to prevent both ground and surface water contamination that occurs from leaking outdoor home heating oil tanks.    » read more »

Priority households advised to apply now before extreme cold hits Illinois; To apply visit www.liheapillinois.com or call 1-877-411-WARM

October 12, 2007 -- CHICAGO – Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today reminded seniors and residents with disabilities that winter heating grants are available through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and will be available to all income-eligible households November 1. The winter heating program is expected to serve 300,000 households this winter with an estimated $150 million in state and federal funding.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., October 9, 2007 – Consumers facing higher winter heating costs of 4 to 22 percent – depending on which fuel powers their home – can use energy efficiency to keep those costs in check while remaining comfortable, advises the Alliance to Save Energy.    » read more »

September 25, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal ruled in a formal legal opinion today that federal law bars states and Community Action Agencies (CAAs) from knowingly providing federal benefits such as home heating assistance to illegal immigrants, but also expressly exempts CAAs from verifying citizenship.

Blumenthal issued the legal opinion at the request of Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Michael Starkowski. The request relates to an ongoing whistleblower complaint.    » read more »

Vermont Attorney General issues report on petroleum markets in New England and upstate New York

September 17, 2007 - In September 2007, Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell, along with the Attorneys General of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York, issued a report on petroleum markets in New England and upstate New York. The report, authored by Economic Research Group catelogues petroleum product distribution, industry participants and assets, and other market participants in the region.    » read more »

September 18, 2007 -- Today, Maine Attorney General Steve Rowe announced the release of a comprehensive Report on Petroleum Markets in the Northeast.

Commissioned by the attorneys general of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York to examine gasoline and heating oil markets within those states, the report provides an overview of market conditions that may affect the prices of petroleum products sold in New England and New York.    » read more »

September 14, 2007 -- Montpelier, Vt. — Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) yesterday sent a letter to President Bush urging him to immediately release $151.5 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) contingency funds.    » read more »

Cautions Consumers to Verify Licenses and Registrations and Carefully Review Contracts Before Signing

September 16, 2007 -- With cold weather approaching, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell is reminding consumers to be choosy in selecting a fuel dealer, and to read and fully understand any home heating contract before signing.

"With low temperatures already starting to dip into the 40s in Connecticut, people need to be aware of this issue now," Governor Rell said. "Choosing a home heating fuel company should not be a last-minute decision.    » read more »

August 28, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today commended criminal authorities for the arrests of the former operators of Newtown Oil, a now defunct company that allegedly entered into fraudulent pre-paid home heating oil contracts during the 2002-03 heating season.    » read more »