Lamont and Fazio Address Connecticut Heating Oil Costs

Connecticut candidates Ned Lamont and Ryan Fazio are addressing rising home heating oil costs affecting residents as winter approaches. On October 9, 2026, they outlined different plans for relief in Connecticut, where about half a million homes use oil heating.

Heating oil prices have climbed above $5.50 per gallon across Connecticut, according to WFSB. The candidates said the next governor will face pressure to respond as households worry about affordability through the winter.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration said homes using heating oil could see the largest increase in winter energy spending. The agency forecasts heating oil spending will rise 21% from last winter.

The EIA attributed the increase to higher global distillate prices and forecast heating oil prices averaging 34% more this winter than last winter. It also expects U.S. distillate inventories to be about 11% below the five year average in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Republican candidate Ryan Fazio proposed suspending several taxes as his approach to reducing costs. He said the measure would target taxes connected to transportation fuels and home heating oil.

"I’ve called on the Governor to suspend the gas tax, the diesel tax, and the home heating oil tax through the end of the year. It can be funded through the existing balance in the transportation fund. We have the money to do it." said Ryan Fazio, Republican candidate.

Fazio's proposal calls for suspending three taxes at least through the end of the calendar year. He said the existing transportation fund balance could cover the move.

Democratic candidate Ned Lamont rejected the tax suspension plan, citing concerns about transportation funding. He said the state has a $500 million fund intended to help address inflation and other rising costs.

"I’ll be asking legislative leadership to use some of that fund to give people a little bit of relief because the price of home heating could go up 70% or 80% this year, thanks to the war in Iran," said Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate.

Lamont said lawmakers are reviewing how much money could be withdrawn from the fund. He told voters the state is working on a relief plan.

"We’re putting together those numbers right now. We ought to have something by early next week. People have some confidence we’re taking care of them," said Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate.

Lamont also discussed the effect of the Iran war on energy prices when asked about the higher costs linked to oil and gas.

"I think it was probably the wrong decision," said Ned Lamont, Democratic candidate.

The EIA reported that heating oil use is concentrated in the Northeast, where about 3% of U.S. homes rely on the fuel as their main heating source.