[NYTr] Venezuelan Oil Arrives in Massachusetts

[All the News That Doesn't Fit]

WBUR News - December 10, 2007
http://www.wbur.org/news/2007/73131_20071210.asp

Venezuelan Oil Arrives

By Shannon Mullen

BRAINTREE, Mass.  -- A tanker ship is set to arrive in Braintree today
carrying low-cost home-heating oil from Venezuela for needy people in
Massachusetts and other northeastern states.

Venezuela will sell its oil at a 40 percent discount to low income U.S.
families, including hundreds in Massachusetts.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez started the program three years ago.

Despite some controversy over his intentions, the program brings some
relief to needy New Englanders. One in every two households in the
region burns heating oil.

Costs are expected to jump more than 20 percent this winter over last
year. The local nonprofit, Action for Boston Community Development,
says federal heating aid has decreased 35 percent in the past 2 years.

The state plans to chip in another $15 million this winter.