The Issue of Heating Oil for the NEK

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Created on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 01:07

Written by Asher Ballantine

With Election Day around the corner, voters are worried about not just filling the tank, but warming the house.

Affordability is likely the word of the year, with many voters and politicians alike placing it at the top of their priority list.

At the start of this year, diesel sat at roughly three and a half dollars a gallon as a national average. Now that amount has nearly doubled, with diesel costing drivers over six dollars a gallon.

That cost doesn’t just impact truck drivers, though; it impacts businesses, which in turn also find themselves in a tight spot.

"[We] are now paying, you know, higher fuel costs. Some of our distributors that have never paid a fuel charge are starting to, and that, you know, turns into, you know, the cost being higher for us as well. And, you know, food is expensive. It has been and it's, you know, increasing sometimes on a day-to-day basis that we're seeing," said Amanda Gangell, the general manager of the Caledonia Food Co-op.

But it’s not just consumer costs; an overlooked aspect of this prolonged oil price hike includes heating oil, a necessity for many here in the NEK.

We spoke to voters about what their plan was going into the winter.

"Usually before heat assistance, I need 100 gallons to get to November because the heat assistance doesn't usually start until November. So last year it was like either a little under 400, or a little over 400, I can't remember. 400 is the target for 100 gallons this year. It's 675. From 400 to 675. Thank you so much," said one concerned voter.

Election Day is only a week away. Many voters are looking for candidates who will address these issues and ensure that the NEK stays warm through this winter.