DOE announced contract awards for the exchange of 300,000 barrels of ultra-low sulfur distillate (fuel oil).
November 4, 2026
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WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced contract awards for the exchange of 300,000 barrels of ultra-low sulfur distillate (fuel oil) from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve (NEHHOR), with fuel supplied from storage sites in Boston, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut. Today’s awards follow DOE's October 21, 2026, Request for Proposal (RFP). Fuel transfers or deliveries are scheduled to be completed by November 6, 2026.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the Energy Department is continuing to do everything in our power to lower energy costs for the American people,” said DOE Under Secretary of Energy Kyle Haustveit. “These actions will help address supply chain disruptions and ensure Americans in the Northeast region stay warm while protecting the long-term readiness of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.”
The contracts were awarded through a competitive process established under DOE’s emergency exchange authority and reinforce the Trump Administration’s commitment to reliable energy access and lowering costs.
Under the awarded contracts, exchange recipients will return the same volume of fuel oil plus a premium, ensuring that NEHHOR is refilled ahead of the 2027–2028 heating season and maintains its long-term operational readiness. Because NEHHOR contains refined petroleum products that can be distributed directly to consumers without additional processing, these awards will help address near-term market pressures and support the availability of heating fuel across the Northeast.
For more information on NEHHOR, please visit the NEHHOR website.
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