Thursday, June 26, 2008                                                    Contact: Andrea Wuebker/Laena Fallon

GREGG URGES SECRETARY OF ENERGY TO ADDRESS RISING HEATING OIL PRICES FACING THE GRANITE STATE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) today wrote to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, Samuel Bodman, regarding the skyrocketing price of home heating oil.  Over the past five years, the cost for Granite Staters to heat their homes in the winter has more than tripled, placing increased stress on ever-tightening family budgets.  The full text of the letter is included below.

Senator Gregg stated, “More than half of the households in New Hampshire rely on heating oil to keep them warm in the winter and it is inexcusable to think that folks will have to choose between putting food on the table or keeping their homes warm during the coming cold weather season.  Although it’s warm outside right now, we need to start taking steps immediately to address this serious issue before Old Man Winter returns.  I strongly urge the Department of Energy to take a hard look at this growing crisis and work with Congress to ensure that folks in New Hampshire and other cold weather states aren’t left out in the cold this winter.”

Honorable Samuel W. Bodman

Secretary

U.S. Department of Energy

1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.

Washington, DC 20585

Dear Secretary Bodman,

I am writing to express my concerns about the rapidly rising price of home heating oil, and its impact on households in the Northeast, especially in New Hampshire.  

As you know, over the past few years, the price of heating oil has increased dramatically.  According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), for 2007, the average residential heating oil price was $2.72 per gallon.  This year, the price is expected to increase 45 percent to $3.95 per gallon, and climb higher in 2009, to $4.25 per gallon.  In New Hampshire, heating oil is even more expensive, with a current average price of $4.53 per gallon.  Five years ago, heating oil in the Granite State only cost $1.40 per gallon.   

The Northeast is disproportionately impacted by these rapidly escalating heating oil prices, since 32 percent of residents depend on heating oil as their primary fuel source.  New Hampshire is even more reliant, with 56 percent of residents using heating oil to heat their homes.   Contrast that with other areas of the country, such as the Midwest, where only 3 percent use heating oil and the majority of residents, or 79 percent, use natural gas. 

During the cold winter months, many households in New Hampshire must turn on their oil furnace to stay warm; however, rising prices can force them to choose between heat and other basic necessities.  This is a choice that no American should face, and I respectfully request an update on what steps the Department of Energy (DOE) is taking to address this important and timely issue.