Citizens energy chairman Joe Kennedy says he's working the phones and racking up the frequent flier miles trying to restore CITGO petroleum's free US heating oil program. We are doing absolutely everything that we can. I am telling you everything we can. I have been to Houston. Offered to go to Caracas on a number of different occasions. We have been in touch with many senators, congressmen and a whole range of others.
CITGO petroleum, the Venezuelan government's Texas-based oil subsidiary blames falling oil prices and the world economic crisis for the suspension of the program. It has provided hundreds of thousands of very low income US households with much needed fuel for the past three years.
While awaiting further word from CITGO, Citizens will continue to run the heating assistance programs it has operated for years. Kennedy says about 20-percent of Massachusetts's homes that receive 100 gallons of free oil a year from Citizens will be impacted by the CITGO situation. Along with all of the participating homes in 22 other states. "It is with great hope that we pray that this is simply a delay and that over the course of the next few weeks we'll be able to turn this around."
Kennedy says he has been assured this is a temporary suspension but is encouraging interested people to help the situation by contacting the Venezuelan president. "I would very much encourage anyone who feels affected by this or just wants to try to weigh in to write President Chavez a letter. Write him a letter telling him of the benefit this program has provided the American people and that we are hopeful that we can have good relations."
While Kennedy tries to get this program back on track..he says it will result in the layoffs of about 20 employees here at citizens energy corp. He's hoping that is a temporary move.
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