Tribe Signs Deal with CITGO for Discounted Fuel
Home Heating Program Means Significant Savings to Akwesasne Residents

AKWESASNE – Representatives from the CITGO Petroleum Company visited the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe late last week and today, the company finalized a deal with the Tribe to bring discounted home heating fuel to the Akwesasne community. The agreement seals the Tribe’s participation in the company’s discount home fuel program. The Tribe will receive more than 500,000 gallons of fuel oil from CITGO, worth an estimated $1.5 million, according to market values. The amount of fuel will provide discounted heat for more than 1,700 homes in the Akwesasne community this winter.

Each eligible home will receive at least 200 gallons of heating oil, for an estimated $500 in fuel savings per household. In addition, households that heat with propane will also receive the fuel benefit.

“Helping our seniors and families with home heating costs in an area like the North Country that is famous for good, long winters, is a huge benefit,” said Tribal Chief Barbara A. Lazore. “We’re really happy to be able to provide this savings to our community.”

In keeping with the guidelines of CITGO’s program, the Tribe has designated seniors and low-income residents of Akwesasne as first-priority recipients of the fuel.

“The cost savings to families is significant, particularly since we have been in a prolonged economic period of increased fuel costs,” said Tribal Chief Lorraine M. White. “This means tribal members can save money or direct their resources to other necessities for the benefit of their families.”

Fuel deliveries will begin on November 15, and will start with seniors and low-income families first. Delivery of the fuel is being done in partnership with the Tribe and will be distributed by the locally Native-owned and operated fuel delivery company, Number Nine (“#9”) Fuels.

The Tribe has been working with CITGO’s Home Fuel Program since the beginning of 2006 to secure the discounted fuel for the St. Regis Mohawk community. The program is designed to provide a 40 percent home heating fuel discount to poor and rural communities in cold climates.  The program also reaches out to Native communities and tribes. Since the program’s inception in 2005, it has expanded to 18 states and more than 200 tribes from Maine to Alaska , saving Native communities more than $12 million in home heating costs.

The Tribe is currently planning a major ceremonial signing event with CITGO for the first week of December that will also include Native delegates from four tribes in Maine and seven tribes in Minnesota that are also participating in the home heating fuel program.

CITGO, based in Houston , is a refining and marketing company owned by the Venezuelan state oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). It has eight refineries and 13,500 independently owned stations throughout the United States , including 740 in New York State .

Tribal Chief James W. Ransom said, “The Tribe has been working with CITGO for the better part of a year to implement the program at Akwesasne. We are honored to be a part of their heating oil program and extend our thanks to them.”

Applications can be obtained at the Compliance Office in the Tribal Community Building located at 412 State Route 37 in Akwesasne. For inquiries call: 315-518-2272.

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The St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Council is the duly elected and federally recognized government of the Mohawk people.