The Fuel Crisis and Winter Weather
Last year was a cold winter in some areas of the country. There are, of course, the normal areas of cold throughout the United States, but, as we know, many of the colds have gotten colder and the warms have gotten warmer due to weather changes, but we won’t even go there.
The problem with the extreme cold in winter is that it takes more fuel – especially heating oil – to keep people and their homes warm enough to get through. Last year, as we said, was quite cold, and people paid a lot for fuel to heat their homes. This year is predicted to be worse – not because it will necessarily take a larger amount of fuel, but because the fuel has gotten so much more expensive.
As it is, people have to choose between necessities like prescriptions and other necessities like fuel. Individuals that are considered working poor, families that are barely getting by, and even families that are living on a slim margin are in for a tremendous shock this winter. It is estimated, for example, that the average family in Maine will have to pay $4,000 to $4,500 this winter to keep warm.
This is a lot of money for families that have little money to spare. Part of the problem is that many of these families living on limited funds make just enough money so that they cannot qualify for heat assistance, leaving them to face a cold, harsh winter.
There are some ideas on the table such as having individuals with extra trees or fallen trees cut them and give families cords of wood to help offset the lack of oil for heat. Of course, that will only work for homes with fireplaces. An alternative is using space or room heaters – especially the sealed ones that have oil inside and use less energy than fan, forced air or other types of room heaters. This can help keep areas of the house warm, but will also use more electric power, costing homeowners to pay more money in power bills, but maybe not as much as the cost of fuel.
It is critical that during the coming months before extreme cold weather arrives, some sort of solutions are created – at leat so that people will not be left in the freezing cold for the winter. With some creative thinking and some financial assistance and supplements more families will stay warmer – or at least, not be freezing – and get through the coming winter months.