Record Heating Oil Prices Force Northeast US to Revisit Gas Pipeline Opposition
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz in February 2026 has triggered a severe heating crisis in the US Northeast, with heating oil prices hitting a record $6.14 per gallon. This 50% surge since the conflict began is forcing households to turn to firewood and compelling regional governments to reconsider their long-standing opposition to natural gas infrastructure. As winter approaches, low-income families face an additional $1.1 billion in costs, while political pressure mounts ahead of the November midterms.