Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, September 12, 2000

Release #342-00

 
Contact: Sunny Mindel/Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958
  John Radziejewski / Kevin Ortiz (DCA) (212) 487-4283


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES HEARINGS TO BE HELD
ON POTENTIAL HOME HEATING OIL CRISIS

Releases Price Survey and Urges New Yorkers to Conserve Energy

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today, joined by Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jane S. Hoffman, announced that the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) will hold hearings regarding this winter's potential home heating oil crisis. Beginning later this month, the hearings will gather pertinent information from home heating oil experts in an attempt to provide homeowners with options and tips. The Mayor also released a survey of home heating oil prices in the five boroughs and outlined tips to consumers to insure that they protect themselves from exorbitant heating oil prices this winter.

"Home heating oil prices reached their highest level in nearly 10 years yesterday and supplies are at their lowest level in 24 years," Mayor Giuliani said. "Given the low heating oil inventories, experts and analysts predict that a particularly cold winter could lead to an energy crisis for the City. New York City homeowners must do what they can to conserve energy this winter and insulate themselves from expected high heating oil prices."

"Since heating oil prices are already at a higher level than last year and winter is rapidly approaching, now is the time for consumers to plan an effective strategy for meeting their home heating needs," Commissioner Hoffman said. "There are several steps that consumers can take to protect themselves from high prices. These include shopping around, buying in bulk, and filling up your oil tank now rather than later this season."

The DCA home heating oil price survey demonstrates the wide disparity in pricing available to consumers. The survey shows that the current average price per gallon is highest in Staten Island [$1.50] and lowest in Manhattan [$1.30], yet within each borough a wide variety of pricing is available.
The survey noted that the current citywide average price of heating oil is $1.35 per gallon. Prices varied from as low as $0.99 to as much as $1.70 - a 72% difference. However, with crude oil supplies at a 24-year low, consumers can expect prices to climb as the temperature drops and demand increases.

The survey also detailed various price plans that each of the 95 companies included in the survey offer, including discounts for seniors, COD payment, and discounts based on tank volume and minimum purchase requirements.

Citywide Average Heating Oil Prices

Borough PRICE (PER GALLON)
Citywide Average $1.35
Staten Island $1.50
Queens $1.37
Bronx $1.36
Brooklyn $1.34
Manhattan $1.30

Lowest Priced Distributors by Borough

BOROUGH
DISTRIBUTOR
ADDRESS
PRICE / GALLON
Queens Consumers Energy Group* 73-01 Metropolitan Avenue $0.99
Brooklyn Atlantic & Pacific Oil Co. 1195 Coney Island Avenue $1.00
Manhattan NYPIRG Fuel Buyers Group* 9 Murray Street $1.09
Bronx Need Oil Corp. 1060 Washington Avenue $1.20
* co-op, not standard heating oil retailer.

Highest Priced Distributors by Borough

BOROUGH
DISTRIBUTOR
ADDRESS
PRICE / GALLON
Brooklyn Newell Fuel Co. 49 Newel Street $1.70
Staen Island Quinlan 1473 Richmond Terrace $1.62
Queens Phoenix Utilities Corp. 127-16 Northern Boulevard $1.53
Manhattan Montebello Coal & Fuel Oil Corp. 424 East 81st Street $1.50
Bronx MB Trucking 1281 Viele Avenue $1.49

According to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), the average price for home heating oil in New York City last year at this time was $1.16 per gallon. Yet, despite greater inventories last year, the price per gallon jumped to $2.27 in February of 2000.

Commissioner Hoffman also warned consumers to research their options before considering a switch to alternative fuels such as natural gas. While natural gas supplies are abundant, their use may not translate to lower heating costs.

To obtain a copy of DCA's Home Heating Oil Price Survey, consumers can visit the Department of Consumer Affairs website at www.nyc.gov/consumers or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Department of Consumer Affairs
Attention: Home Heating Oil Price Survey
42 Broadway, 8th floor
New York, NY 10004

 

www.nyc.gov


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