Concern in Northeast US as fuel inventories run low

The Northeast US might very well be heading into a harsh winter. Heating oil supplies are already running low, with a powerful weather event set to cause further disruptions.

Fuel supplies are lower than normal across the country, largely due to the Russia-Ukraine war. But it’s the worst in the Northeast, where diesel and heating oil supplies are more than 50% below the average, per federal officials.

The Northeast relies heavily on heating oil to keep homes warm during winter.

In New England, diesel and heating oil are 63% below the five-year average and 58% below average from Maryland to New York, according to a survey by the Department of Energy.

Double whammy 
If that’s not enough, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an active hurricane season, and an extreme weather event that could possibly disrupt fuel supplies from Gulf Coast refineries.

With more than 60% homes in Maine and 24% in Massachusetts dependent on heating oil to stay warm in the winters, the inventory shortage is raising serious concerns.

Maine Governor Janet Mills has urged the Energy Department to expedite its meeting with governors to discuss ways to shore up fuel supplies. The Energy Secretary has scheduled the meeting after Labor Day.