Heating oil costs $6 a gallon. Now CT is asking Washington for more help
All six New England governors asked Congress to commit an extra $3 billion to LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
With home heating oil nearly twice as expensive as last year, Gov. Ned Lamont and all five other New England governors are asking Washington for more help.
But even if it comes, Lamont acknowledged that Connecticut may need to do more on its own.
OIL NEARLY $6 PER GALLON
Kimberly Roland, of Norwalk, is preparing for sticker shock when she fills her heating oil tank.
“Probably at least 1,500 or 1,100 [dollars] a month,” she said.
Home heating oil now averages nearly $6 per gallon in Connecticut, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last November, the price was $3.57 a gallon.
“The war in Iran has jacked up the price of heating your home almost double compared to a year ago, so I know we’ve got to do more.” Lamont said.
The high prices have led to a 12% jump in home heating assistance applications, according to Lamont.
HELP FROM WASHINGTON?
All six New England governors, both Democrats and Republicans, want Washington to do more. This week, they asked Congress to commit an extra $3 billion to LIHEAP, the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program.
“These pressures are particularly acute in New England, where cold winters, older housing, and a heavy reliance on delivered heating fuel leave families especially exposed to the dramatic price increases America is currently experiencing,” the governors wrote.
Lamont already tapped $12 million from an emergency fund to offset federal cuts, but said he would also consider raising income eligibility so more families can qualify for assistance. Right now, the limit is just under $94,000 for a family of four.
“If we have to do a little but more, we’re going to do a little bit more,” Lamont said. “I don’t want people being cold this winter.”
Roland said qualifying for assistance would be a big help this winter.
“It would be nice, you know, to have more money for things you need,” Roland said.
WAIT TO FILL YOUR TANK?
If you’re thinking of waiting out these high oil prices, experts said you might be out of luck.
“Anyone who heats with home heating oil, you might not be out of the woods though until December or January,” said GasBuddy head of petroleum analysts Patrick De Haan.
For some homeowners, that might mean throwing on an extra sweater.
“Sometimes setting the thermostat a little bit – one or two notches lower than they would normally and just adjusting so that they can save where they can,” said Kenneth Gartman, of Queens N.Y. “You still have to heat your house.”
