WINDSOR LOCKS, CT – U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Clay Sell today joined state energy officials and home heating oil distributors from several northeastern states to discuss home heating prices this winter. During the meeting, sponsored by the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), participants were provided with updates on the home heating oil outlook for the Northeast, as well as ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. They were also encouraged to partner in the Department of Energy’s campaign to increase energy efficiency.

"While we are confident that there will be adequate supplies of home heating oil this winter, it’s important that government and business leaders discuss the overall scope of the Northeast’s energy needs," Deputy Secretary Sell said. "Unfortunately, the affect of the hurricanes will be felt by families in the Northeast in the form of higher heating bills this winter - that’s why it’s important that all Americans look for ways to increase energy efficiency in their homes and be proactive on energy conservation."

All six New England states’ energy offices (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), plus New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania participated in the meeting. Each state provided comments on current efforts to improve energy efficiency and offered ideas on how federal cooperation could be helpful during the winter season.

Earlier today, Deputy Secretary Sell visited Home Depot in West Springfield, MA, as part of a comprehensive national campaign to highlight how American families, businesses and the federal government can save energy in response to rising winter energy costs. For consumers, the campaign offers an informative "Energy$avers" guide outlining easy ways to improve home energy efficiency. The Energy Savers guide is available through http://www.energysavers.gov/.