CHICOPEE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — Fall has just begun, but many are concerned about the rising cost of home heating oil in the Bay State.
People who use fuel oil to heat their homes could expect a more expensive upcoming winter season.
“It’s going to be higher than last winter right now,” said Marty Toper, owner of Central Energy.
We stopped at Central Energy in Chicopee to find out what could be driving these high prices. Toper told Western Mass News that the war in Ukraine continues to contribute to the high cost of oil.
“It could fall apart if this Ukrainian war was over, it would drop significantly,” Toper said. “What they’re trying to do is shorten this thing. If it stops quickly, prices will drop and drop significantly.
The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association estimates that families will spend an average of $2,115 on oil this winter, a 12.8% increase from 2021-22.
The average cost of a gallon of heating oil is currently $4.73, nearly $2 more than this time last year.
Toper offered this advice to those who have oil in their homes:
“I’m thinking insulation, your thermostats, and don’t be stupid buying from a company that doesn’t offer service.”
Governor Charlie Baker also weighed in on whether he has any plans to deal with the high price of heating oil. In a press release, he wrote:
“There are several things I think the federal government can do to help us on this one, which is to suspend or create exemptions for the Jones Acts.”
He went on to write:
“There are also a number of other initiatives that I think the federal government can help us with. They will come and help with some of them.
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