Maine Senators Urge Trump to Release Home Heating Oil Reserves Amid Price Surge
Citing global supply issues and conflict, Collins and King ask president to tap into Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
Maine's two U.S. senators, Republican Susan Collins and Independent Angus King Jr., have formally requested that President Donald Trump release oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve to combat rising prices. The senators sent a letter to the president on Tuesday, stating their concern over the "very high prices" that are imposing a "difficult financial burden" on Mainers.
The statewide average price for heating oil in Maine was $5.77 per gallon as of September 14, according to the Maine Department of Energy Resources. This represents a significant increase of approximately 74% compared to the average price of $3.32 per gallon on September 15, 2025.
In their letter, Collins and King attributed the elevated prices to global factors, including the conflict in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine War, which they argue have disrupted the global supply of heating oil. They emphasized Maine's particular vulnerability due to its reliance on imported heating oil.
The call from the Maine senators comes as Americans nationwide are experiencing higher fuel costs. The AAA national average for diesel reached a record high of $6.5276 per gallon on Tuesday, with minor decreases in the following days. The national average for regular gasoline stands at $4.4825 per gallon as of Thursday, still below the record of $5.0165 set in June 2022.
Senator Collins is a long-serving Republican representing Maine, while Senator King, though an independent, caucuses with the Senate Democrats. The White House was contacted for comment on Wednesday.