FEATURED NEWS
CALENDAR
� NEADA: TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PROVIDES $ 0 FOR LIHEAP IN FY27
The President’ s Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal would eliminate $ 4 billion in funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program( LIHEAP), cutting off vital support to approximately 6 million low-income households that rely on the program to afford home heating and cooling, reports NEADA, the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
NEADA on April 3 issued a statement that reads in part:
“ This proposal comes at a time when energy insecurity is already at alarming levels. Currently, one in six U. S. households is behind on their energy bills, with total utility debt reaching approximately $ 25 billion— the highest level since 2021 and a 30 percent increase since the end of 2023.
“ Recent Census data further underscores the crisis: 37.4 percent of households earning under $ 50,000 reported being unable to pay an energy bill at least once in the past year.‘ Low-income families need support now more than ever,’ said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association( NEADA).‘ I am deeply disappointed that the Administration is proposing to eliminate LIHEAP funding. Families are already struggling with rising energy costs and as gasoline, food, and heating oil prices surge due to the war in Iran, this is absolutely the wrong time to cut energy assistance to some of the poorest families in the nation.’”
The Association says the Administration’ s proposal“ relies on inaccurate claims that mischaracterize the purpose and effectiveness of LIHEAP,” including:
• Outdated claims of fraud: The budget cites a 15-year-old Government Accountability Office( GAO) report. Since then, federal and state partners have implemented all recommended reforms to strengthen program integrity, including modernized application processes and enhanced auditing.
• Misunderstanding of program
FEATURED NEWS
• NEADA: Trump Administration Provides $ 0 for LIHEAP in Fiscal Year 2027
• EDP Acquires Hocon Gas
• Industry Coalition Urges Congress to Protect Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve
• Politico: NY Governor Backs Off Aggressive Climate Timeline
• PERC‘ Power Play’ Campaign Launches Nationwide
BUSINESS OPERATIONS – pg. 10
• Roth Expansion Kit Wins Variance in Vermont
• Bergquist Hires Two Executives
• Cargas Acquires MyFuelPortal
• Barton Taylor Joins Cetane
EIA / FUELS – pg. 14
• NEFI: ASTM Approves Heating Oil
• Spec for up to 50 % Biodiesel Blends EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook
HVAC / HYDRONICS – pg. 20
• ACCA and PHCC to Collaborate
• Upcoming Energy Efficiency Standards for Commercial Water Heaters
impact: The assertion that LIHEAP is unnecessary due to state shut-off protections ignores how the program operates. LIHEAP serves households nationwide— providing cooling assistance in the South, heating support in the Midwest and Northeast, and relief during extreme weather events across the West. Benefits are based on income eligibility and directly reduce household energy burdens.
• Limits of shut-off moratoriums: Seasonal protections only delay disconnections— they do not eliminate debt. Once moratoriums end, families must still pay accumulated balances. Without LIHEAP, many more households would face service shut-offs. Additionally, these protections often do not apply to municipal utilities, cooperatives, or delivered fuels such as heating oil and propane.
• Broad national impact: While the proposal highlights specific states, more than half of LIHEAP funding supports states that voted for President Trump in
CALENDAR
MAY 2026
Eastern Energy Expo May 17-20 Mohegan Sun, Connecticut Website: EasternEnergyExpo. com
JUNE 2026
Northern New England Energy Conference June 22-24 Harborside Resort Bar Harbor, Maine Website: www. nneenergyconference. com / registration /
2024. Eliminating the program would harm vulnerable households nationwide not just in select regions.
“ At a time of rising energy prices and growing economic pressure on working families, eliminating LIHEAP would deepen the nation’ s energy affordability crisis and leave millions of vulnerable households without the assistance they need to keep their lights on and their homes safe,” NEADA says in its statement.“ Congress should reject this proposal and continue its longstanding bipartisan commitment to protecting low-income families from energy insecurity.”
� EDP ACQUIRES HOCON GAS
EDP announced that it acquired Hocon Gas, a Connecticut-based provider of propane, fuel oil, and related services. Hocon Gas operates from five locations within Connecticut, serving more than 35,000 customers throughout the state.
Hocon Gas was founded more than 75 years ago by Mike Gable and his wife, Lauree, beginning with a single location in Norwalk. In 1980, leadership of the company transitioned to their son, David Gable, who expanded the company with the addition of four locations. David Gable has been an active in local and national industry associations for many years.
“ I have known EDP’ s senior leadership for many years and have consistently believed that their business model and reputation would make them the ideal
6 MAY 2026 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www. fueloilnews. com