Costly Kelly is Unprepared as New Hampshire Families Brace for 31% Spike in Heating Oil Costs

Costly Kelly is Unprepared as New Hampshire Families Brace for 31% Spike in Heating Oil Costs
 

Seven months after Donald Trump launched his war of choice in Iran, driving up the cost of everything from groceries to gas and energy costs, Costly Kelly’s big idea was to order a “study.” With no immediate plan and a theoretical “roadmap for nuclear power,” New Hampshire families are scrambling to scrape together enough money to afford their home heating oil bills, which are set to be 31% higher than last year. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Energy has faced an ongoing “material weakness” in its management of “federal fuel assistance cash.” Rather than demonstrate urgency in addressing the state’s energy challenges, Costly Kelly appointed Chris Ellms Jr. as PUC Chair, who “came up through a gubernatorial campaign” and has “no demonstrated experience in utility ratemaking.” Even Republicans “raised concerns about his limited experience.” 

It’s well past time that Ayotte “publish[es] a winter fuel emergency plan” and “protect the people that will pay the price.” Residents and stakeholders alike have continuously sounded the alarm about the lack of relief for Granite Staters and questioned Ayotte’s tactics to “deliver promised savings.”

“Kelly Ayotte’s job is to be prepared for a crisis and deliver results — not order a study, hold her breath, and hope for the best,” said NHDP spokesperson Marissa Hebert. “Costly Kelly has exposed just how unprepared she is to lead New Hampshire through a crisis. In 20 days, she’ll pay the price for her inaction.”