Now is the Time to Ditch Oil-powered Heat

Most homes in our nation are powered by either electricity or natural gas. However, one segment of our population, located in the northeast, derives much of its home heating from the use of heating oil. Heating oil, like all fuels does not have a stable price; in some years it is cheap, and other years it is more expensive. However, over the last several years, until the end of 2008, it has been exceptionally expensive, priced way out of line with other fuel sources such as electricity or wood chips.

Granted, I understand that it would be expensive to switch over every home's oil powered furnace. However, the price swings alone are quite extreme. In addition, oil power is quite pollutive, and greatly decentralized, whereas an electric powered furnace concentrates all of the pollution generated at one source (the power plant). Plus, in the event of a failed delivery or oil shortage, the risk is run that the heat will run out. This is extremely disconcerting for those most at risk such as the elderly or children.

I propose that we put into place a tax credit of substantial value, likely over $2,000, to get people off of using heating oil. We have many sources of power which can be used to generate electricity, whereas oil power is limited to oil. We should do this now, while prices are low, to ease the burden immediately. If we fail to come up with some way of solving this problem, we will continue to see families choose between heat and food, and keeping homes at temperatures that are way too low.