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| High cost proves an icy reality: Uncertainty in Middle East, cold winter will likely cause bills to soar | Sunday, November 14, 2004 |
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| Eunice Kim | Metrowest Daily News |
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Rising fuel prices have many local officials and social service agencies
bracing for a high demand on fuel assistance programs this winter.
"I think (demand) is going to be high because fuel costs are high. Times are tight," said Hopedale Senior Center Director Carole Mullen. Many officials said residents could see soaring heating bills this winter as fuel costs have reached new highs. "If the bills are higher, people are going to need the assistance more, especially people living on fixed incomes," said Milford Senior Center Director Ruth Anne Bleakney. The average price of a gallon of heating oil was $2.04 as of Nov. 2, according to the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources. At the same time last year, the price was $1.31. "The prices have hit record levels," said Brian O'Connor, spokesman for Boston-based Citizens Energy Corporation. "People are concerned about how they are going to get through the winter." The rise in fuel prices stems from many factors, including growing demand abroad and uncertainty in the Middle East. Prices generally increase during the heating season. Residents can, and in large numbers, are turning to the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as Fuel Assistance. The program is available to area residents through two agencies -- South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc., a nonprofit corporation in Framingham that serves Bellingham, Medway, Millis, Milford, Hopedale, Mendon and Upton; and Self Help, Inc, an Avon-based community action program that serves Franklin. Through the program, which runs from Nov. 1 to April 30, income-eligible households receive financial assistance with home heating costs. To qualify, a one-person household can earn up to $18,620 a year and a two-person household can earn up to $24,980. Mullen urged residents to apply for Fuel Assistance even if they are a little bit over the income limit as they could still be eligible for discounts on their electric or water and sewer bills. Residents can go to the senior center in their town to apply for Fuel Assistance. Officials asked that residents call first to schedule an appointment and learn what documents are needed to apply. Already this heating season, local officials said they have seen a lot of new faces come through the door. Those who used the program last year received applications in the mail. "I personally think the demand will be higher this year (than last year)," said Franklin Senior Center Director Karen Alves. Mendon Senior Center Director Pamela Ratcliffe said people are realizing Fuel Assistance is available and are coming forward to apply. "I definitely have seen an increase in people applying, and they appear to qualify," she said. Judith Fitzmaurice, Fuel Assistance manager at Self Help, said her agency has seen a "good number" of new applications so far. She said it is going to be "an extremely difficult year for our clients." O'Connor said Citizens Energy has already fielded hundreds of calls from people who have looked at fuel prices and are worried. The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program provides delivery of half-price heating oil to residents once they have exhausted their Fuel Assistance benefit. Households can purchase up to 175 gallons a season at the discounted price. Citizens Energy will start authorizing deliveries the first week in December. Salvation Army Service Extension Director Wil Leslie said he is very concerned about the number of people in need of help this heating season. "At the moment, we are experiencing a very high call level from across the state from families that are in a very difficult situation already," he said. Through the Cold Weather Fund, the Salvation Army, in partnership with the Bellingham Whole Foods Market, is offering help to families in the Bellingham area who have exhausted all other means of heating assistance, he said. "We want to be there for families that are falling through the cracks between different fuel assistance programs," Leslie said. The Salvation Army, working with utility companies, also offers eligible families assistance through its Good Neighbor Energy Fund, which provides up to $275 per household. Leslie said the Salvation Army anticipates serving a minimum of 3,000 families statewide this year. While many officials expect demand on fuel assistance programs to jump this year, some said it is difficult to predict. "It's so hard to tell," said Debbie Arsenault, Millis Senior Center director. Jack Sullivan of New England Fuel Institute said demand, for the most part, is not solely controlled by fuel prices. "It depends on how cold it's going to be," said the executive director of the Watertown-based institute, which represents more than 50 heating oil and natural gas providers in New England, and parts of Canada and Europe. Sullivan said forecasts have projected this winter to be anywhere between normal and 2 percent colder than last year. How accurate those forecasts are "we don't know," he said. Regardless of how the winter shapes up, Sullivan said he is not worried about any fuel shortages. "Inventories are strong," he said. "We're just waiting for winter." He urged people to conserve and save money by lowering thermostats a few degrees at night, among other means. "Consumers can help themselves and they should," he said. Anyone interested in donating to the Cold Weather Fund can do so by mailing donations to the Salvation Army, 147 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116. Residents can specify if they want their funds to be used in their hometown. Also, on Dec. 6, 5 percent of net sales at Whole Foods Market in Bellingham will be donated to the Cold Weather Fund. |
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