Oil crunch may leave Lynners cold

LYNN – Old man winter is coming, the price of home heating oil is steadily on the rise and the city’s low-income residents are worried that they will be left out in the cold.Providing heating oil through the low-income energy assistance program (LIHEAP) since the late 1970s, John Mogielnicki, executive director of Lynn Economic Opportunity (LEO) said only one tank of oil per residence would be supplied.”People are in a near panic and the waiting room for the energy assistance program has been crowded since late July and we’re expecting a record year,” he said. “Last year over 3,300 families made up of roughly 10,000 people were kept warm, but this year is just going to be terrible.”According to the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources (DOER), heating oil and propane prices are at a record high average of $3.05 per gallon, making it the first time the average price has risen above $3.The price of heating oil has jumped 33.5 cents and propane has jumped 22 cents since DOER began its winter fuel price surveys Oct. 9. The increases are the result of crude oil prices that are fluctuating $92 and $96 per barrel.The cost of propane is also at a record high this week at $2.70 per gallon.Mogielnicki said the average consumer uses roughly three and a half tanks of fuel to get through the winter months.”We’re working with the state to get additional funds aside from the federal dollars so, in total, we will be able to supply about $850 worth of fuel per residence,” he said. “But I don’t know what people are going to do when they run out, because people just don’t have the money to purchase it on their own.”In addition to a potential shortage of fuel, Mogielnicki said people are also having a hard time paying past due heating bills, which may play a factor in keeping the heat on in homes.”Say you owe $1,600 on a fuel bill and it got shut off, you come to us and we pay $800 toward the bill, then it would keep the gas on,” he said. “However, come springtime, the bill is high again and we might not be able to get the bill down enough again come winter.”To qualify for the LIHEAP program, Mogielnicki said a family of four would have to earn less than $41,300 a year, while a single resident would have to earn less than $20,400.For full assistance, a family of four must make less than $20,650, while a single resident would have to earn less than $10,210 a year.”I’m worried that those who can’t afford heating oil, will turn to space heaters and stoves to warm their homes instead,” Mogielnicki said. “That would cause a very difficult situation and it could put people’s health at risk.”The DOER suggested taking the following steps to reduce heating costs this winter: fully insulate; weather-strip windows, doors and attic access routes; check heating systems; conserve by installing low-flow showerheads and turn down heat when away from home.In addition, federal tax credits are available for several types of home improvements, including insulation and replacement windows if completed by Dec. 31. Visit www.energystar.gov for details.For more information regarding LIHEAP, call 781-581-7220, ex. 283.