With heating oil prices skyrocketing, a record number of consumers are turning to PIRG Fuel Buyers for help in keeping warm this winter. PIRG Fuel Buyers is a heating oil cooperative that uses group buying power to negotiate better prices on behalf of over 1,100 households and small
businesses in the Delaware Valley.
So far this year, PIRG Fuel Buyers has seen record interest in the co-op. The number of inquiries made by interested consumers has more then doubled from this time last year, from 190 by October 2004 to 488 by October 2005. Similarly, the number of new members that have joined the co-op has increased by 145%, from 49 this time last year to 120 this year.
Through the co-op, the average household saves $100 to $300 per year on their home heating oil bills. Fuel Buyers is affiliated with PennPIRG, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization. While PIRG Fuel Buyers' members will save a significant amount this winter, much more assistance will be needed. Fuel Buyers is calling on Congress and the Pennsylvania Legislature to increase funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Contact: Emily Schiller, PIRG Fuel Buyers Director, 215-893-FUEL (w), 215-203-2906 (c), fuelbuyers@pirg.org, www.pirg.org/fuelbuyers
