Archive for February, 2011

Bloomfield, Conn. — Operation Fuel temporarily has stopped taking new applications for energy assistance, while the non-profit tries to raise additional funds.

From December 1 through February 24, Operation Fuel and its network of more than 100 fuel banks had committed nearly $878,000 in grants to more than 2,500 households for the winter program.  Executive Director Patricia Wrice said Operation Fuel hopes to raise an additional $200,000 to keep the winter energy assistance program running through May.

This winter has been especially difficult.  During the last week of January, Operation Fuel’s fuel banks processed more applications than they did for the entire month of January 2010.

Wrice said, “We knew we had to run a limited emergency energy assistance program this winter.  But we didn’t expect to give out this much money by now.”   For the past two years, in addition to private donations, Operation Fuel had received grant money from the state of Connecticut.  But there are no funds available this year.

The non-profit has limited its winter program to serve only homes that heat with deliverable fuel such as home heating oil. Households that heat with natural gas or electricity must apply to their utility company for the winter protection program, which runs from November 1 to April 30. Winter protection will end on May 1, and then Operation Fuel wants to start helping households that face losing their utility service.

Operation Fuel is a private, non-profit statewide program that provides emergency energy assistance to lower-income working families, the elderly, and disabled individuals who are in financial crisis and not eligible for energy assistance from government-funded programs. Donations can be sent to Operation Fuel, One Regency Drive, Suite 200, Bloomfield, CT 06002, or made online.

Dominion, the owner and operator of Millstone Power Station in Waterford, Conn., announced today it will provide $1 million to Operation Fuel, Inc., in Connecticut to provide energy grants and energy conservation training to small businesses owned by minorities or women. Click to read full press release.

Wallingford, Conn., — Connecticut residents, who are customers of the Connecticut Light and Power Company (CL&P), can make their homes more energy efficient while helping Operation Fuel keep another family’s home warm this winter.  Click here for full press release.