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James Mol
LATEST
LATEST │ OCTOBER 10
On October 9 the Governor said he will ask legislative leaders to use part of a state reserve for heating relief. No amount or program has been announced yet. This page will be updated when it is.
In one Minute
Connecticut heating oil averaged $5.88 a gallon in the state’s September 28 survey. The same week last year it was $3.23. One 200-gallon delivery now costs about $530 more.
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Federal heating aid runs on a stopgap budget through December 11, and the final amount for this winter is decided after the election. Connecticut’s plan assumes roughly level federal aid while oil rose more than 80 percent.
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There is no state tax on home heating oil to cut. It is already exempt. What there is: two programs that cover oil, and rights as a customer that most people do not know they have.
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Energy Assistance (CEAP)
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For households up to $48,714 for one person, $63,703 for two, $78,692 for three, $93,681 for four, $108,669 for five.
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Pays $355 to $705 straight to your fuel dealer, plus up to three emergency deliveries of $430 if you run low. Dealers are paid a set price below retail and cannot bill you the difference. Program deliveries start November 2.
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Open now through May 31, 2027. You have to reapply every year.
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Generation Power CT
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Formerly Operation Fuel. For households just above the CEAP limit, up to 75 percent of state median income.
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Up to $500 once a year toward oil, gas or electric. Applications are online only, and only during two windows: December 1 to 15, 2026, and March 1 to 15, 2027
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Your rights as an oil customer
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Ask for 100 gallons if a full fill is out of reach. A dealer cannot require a regular customer to take more than 100 gallons, or 75 percent of the tank if that is less, and cannot add a small-delivery fee at 100 gallons.
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No fee on automatic delivery. A dealer cannot add a delivery fee to a delivery the dealer schedules.
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Shop, and order at a quarter tank. In the latest state survey, prices ran from $5.36 to $6.30 a gallon. Running dry can add a service call to the bill.
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Problems with a dealer? Department of Consumer Protection, 860-713-6160.
What I will do in Hartford
Make sure relief reaches oil customers. If you heat with gas or electricity and qualify for hardship protection, your heat cannot be shut off from November to May. If you heat with oil and cannot pay, the truck simply does not come. Relief should reach people who buy fuel by the delivery, including families just above the limits, where a $500 grant no longer covers a 100-gallon delivery
Budget for this winter’s prices, not last winter’s. Connecticut added $30 million in 2022 and $17 million in 2024 when federal aid fell short. It can do it again.
Work our congressional delegation. Only Congress can raise federal heating aid, and the final number is set in December. Joe Courtney represents Suffield and has pressed for the money to go out on time. Luke Bronin is the Democratic nominee for the seat covering East Granby and Windsor Locks. I know them both, and I will make District 61’s case directly.
If you are worried about this winter, call or email me. I will help you find the right program, whether or not I am your representative in January.