Feds release emergency heating oil to lower Maine prices; Collins, King claim win
Federal Heating‑Oil Release Set to Ease Maine’s Winter Bills
By Ethan Horton
October 25, 2026 – Portland, Maine
The U.S. Department of Energy announced Wednesday that it will release up to 315,000 barrels of heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, a 1‑million‑barrel emergency supply that has only been tapped twice before. The move is aimed at softening the sharp rise in heating‑oil prices that has left many Maine households paying nearly $6.00 a gallon— the highest in the state’s history.
The reserve, located in the northeastern United States, was last released in 2012 after Hurricane Sandy disrupted supply lines. This time, the release is the first to use the reserve as a price‑stabilizing tool rather than a disaster response.
How the Release Will Work
Oil companies will bid to receive at least 25,000 barrels of the stored oil under an “exchange” program. In return, they must deliver the same quantity plus a 5 % surcharge back to the government by April 2027, or face a monthly premium that rises 2.5 % each month. The oil will be collected at three New England sites, including Sunoco’s tank in South Portland, beginning next month.
According to the Department of Energy, the influx of 315,000 barrels— roughly 13 % of the current Northeast supply— should put downward pressure on prices. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright called the action a “temporary measure to solve a temporary supply disruption.”
Senate Support and State Impact
Senators Susan Collins and Angus King—who both wrote to former President Donald Trump last month—had urged the release in light of soaring heating costs. In a joint statement, Collins said, “Maine has been hit especially hard by the run‑up in fuel prices since the beginning of the Iran war, and the most obvious example is home heating oil. This release of stored oil in New England will hopefully be some help.” King echoed the sentiment, noting that Maine is one of the most oil‑dependent states in the country.
Maine’s average heating‑oil price is $5.97 per gallon, up 56 % since February, when the conflict in Iran began to constrict the Strait of Hormuz. Over the same period last year, the price had risen 77 %. The federal release arrives just as the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is preparing to allocate its limited funding for the winter. While HEAP will provide help, analysts warn it may not stretch as far this year as it has in past seasons.
Political Context
As election day nears, heating oil costs have become a campaign issue for Collins and her Democratic challenger, former Senate President Troy Jackson. Other gubernatorial candidates, including Gov. Janet Mills, Democrat Hannah Pingree, Republican Bobby Charles, and Independent Rick Bennett, have all called for increased assistance to help residents afford heating.
Looking Ahead
The released oil is expected to arrive in Maine’s market next month. Whether the supply boost will be enough to bring prices down remains to be seen. Residents can apply for HEAP assistance through their local community action program or by calling 211, with the state’s annual Winter Heating Guide still available online for cost‑saving tips.
Maine’s reliance on heating oil—estimated at 45,000 households receiving assistance last year—makes the federal release a potentially critical measure for the cold months ahead. The full impact of the 315,000‑barrel injection will unfold as the winter season begins and the state's residents prepare to keep their homes warm.
