Rhoades Introduces Freeze on Home Heating Fuel Cost

HARRISBURG—Acting to provide home heating fuel relief to all Pennsylvanians, Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29) today introduced legislation that would immediately freeze the rising costs of home heating fuels.

"More and more Pennsylvanians are struggling to cope with the high costs of the winter season with no relief in sight," said Rhoades. "This legislation would freeze the costs of home heating fuel at today's prices. That some of our most needy citizens may not be able to afford to heat their homes is just wrong. This is a life or death issue and we need to do something about it."

Rhoades' legislation would mandate an immediate price freeze on all light fuel oil, which includes oil used for domestic heating. The restriction would expire at the end of the winter season on April 1, 2008. In addition, civil fines of up to $1,000 maybe imposed for each violation of the law.

According to Rhoades, the Energy Association of Pennsylvania is expecting home heating costs to increase across the board, with the price of heating oil and propane seeing the sharpest increase – as much as 20 percent. The association also expects natural gas prices to rise by about 10 percent and electricity costs to increase by 7 percent.

"With the price of oil hitting record highs and energy prices continuing to rise, it is more important than ever that we find a way to provide relief to consumers," said Rhoades. "So long as I am a Senator, I don't want a single Pennsylvanian to be left out in the cold."