Dodd calls on president to release emergency funds for home heating oil crisis

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Dodd calls on president to release emergency funds for home heating oil crisis

STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., has asked President Clinton to release emergency energy assistance money to help offset the rapid rise in home heating oil prices.

Dodd said he also asked the president to tap into the nation's strategic oil reserve for the first time since 1990.

An unprecedented increase in wholesale prices heating oil increased more than 30 cents Friday could result in prices as high as $2 a gallon, Dodd said.

He said the president should release some of the $300 million held in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to make sure low-income people can afford to heat their homes.

Dodd said his office has been inundated with calls and e-mails during the last week from people concerned about the high prices as temperatures have plummeted.

''This is putting incredible pressure both on price and supply,'' Dodd said.

Other members of Connecticut's Congressional delegation were expected to co-sign the letter to Clinton.

The price increases have also caught the attention of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. He said Friday his office is examining the higher prices to make sure no illegal price gouging is taking place.

''The increases in spot prices along with the very significant reductions in OPEC supply and world inventories may well be a factor. The question is whether that is enough to explain the entire phenomenon,'' Blumenthal said. AP-ES-01-25-00 0106EST

Link to story:

http://courant.ctnow.com/news/apwire/Jan25-APwire_23282.stm

-- Carl Jenkins (Somewherepress@aol.com), January 25, 2000

Answers

The finger pointing has begun,just a matter of time before someone whispers Y2K and the truth in regards to oil comes spewing forward.

Damn, I hate expensive gas!!!

-- Common Man (me@libertytree.com), January 25, 2000.


Don`t bet on the truth ever comming out. Democrats are devoted to covering up the truth. Will they give people a tax cut, so that they can afford heating oil? I don`t think so.

-- Earl (earl.shuholm@worldnet.att.net), January 25, 2000.

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