Back in 2006, when
Chavez began offering free oil to Americans from Venezuela's government-controlled Citgo, New Hampshire's energy office contacted the Venezuelan Embassy about working out a deal.
But the idea galled some New Hampshire Republicans, including Sen. John Sununu, who called the it a "disgrace" and an attempt at grandstanding by Chavez, and Democratic Gov. John Lynch squelched the effort.
This year, though, "the state's role is to make sure people are aware of the program," Lynch spokesman Colin Manning said.
A lot has changed over the past two years. Back then, heating oil sold for about $2.50 per gallon in the Northeast. Last month, the average price was $4.61, with predictions of $5 per gallon oil by winter.
"The average tank is 250 to 275 gallons," Citizens spokeswoman Ashley Durmer said. "Filling it once is over $1,500. That is unfathomable that anyone can pay that price. If you have to fill the tank four times, it's going to be a devastating winter for a lot of people."
On Thursday, Sununu again criticized Chavez but said he has no problem with people or businesses accepting help from an independent nonprofit such as Citizens.
Sununu and other lawmakers around the Northeast are pressing for big increases in federal home heating aid.
More than 6 million New England households rely on oil heat.
Bob Garside, president of the Oil Heat Council of New Hampshire, a trade group, predicted many of the state's 200 dealers will refuse to participate in the heating-oil giveaway. "In the past, it's been nothing but a ploy for Chavez," Garside said.
Bill Fuller, general manager of Fred Fuller Oil Co., disagreed. He began delivering fuel for Citizens last winter, when hundreds of New Hampshire residents who applied on their own, without state involvement, got 100 gallons free. Fuller said he plans to do it again.
What do you all think?
I underlined 6 million still on oil heat because this is retarded. At $1500 a pop for a fill up and with 5 fill ups in a cold winter that's $7,500 for heating in the winter. A ground source heat pump could be installed for less than that.
Typically a ground source heat pump would run for 1/3 of that figure and at the same time free up that heating oil for diesel fuel. Another win win!!
Again......how about some government leadership (not a hand out) on this. Give some incentives in the form of tax credits not a stupid economic stimulus package of $1500 which is generally wasted on frivolous nonsense.
How about a $1,500 payment IF you yank out the old oil burner and replace with a ground source heat pump.
It would also stimulate some jobs for the heat pumps and the installs. Another win win.....
a small win win but still in the win category.
