Kuster Calls on Biden Administration to Release Heating Oil Reserves

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is calling on Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and the Biden Administration to prepare to release supplies from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR) during the cold fall and winter months. Heating oil inventories in the Northeast are more than 60% below the five-year average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. The president is authorized to draw down and sell oil from the NEHHOR to address a severe energy supply disruption or significant regional supply shortage.

"Granite State families are feeling the pinch of high prices at the grocery store and at the gas pump," said Kuster. "It is critical that we act to avoid further pain as folks begin to fill their oil tanks for the winter. We've taken decisive steps to help lower costs for families in New Hampshire and across the country but more must be done to make sure that no one is forced to choose between heating their home or putting food on the table. That's why I'm calling on the Biden Administration to prepare to release supplies from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve to help lower costs for New Hampshire households as we approach colder weather. I will continue to push the Administration to take all steps within its power to address high costs facing New Hampshire."

In addition to calling for the release of heating oil reserves, Kuster joined a bipartisan push to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps households in need afford their energy bills. 

Congresswoman Kuster has been a strong advocate for Granite State consumers to address rising prices at the grocery store and at the pump. In the Energy and Commerce Committee, she confronted Big Oil company executives on their business practices and the fossil fuel industry's role in rising gas prices. Kuster also voted in favor of H.R. 7688, the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, which would grant the president the power to issue an emergency energy proclamation outlawing the sale of consumer fuels -- fuel for cars, airplanes, home heating oil, and liquid propane -- at artificially high prices during the emergency period.

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