a boost for the French heating with oil

When he sees his fuel delivery man, Jean-Paul Dondeyne has mixed feelings: first the relief of being able to warm up, then the fear of the amount. “Much higher than last year, (…) almost double“, he comments. Its bill amounts to 1,225 euros for 700 litres, ie 500 euros more than the previous year. Unlike gas and electricity, there is no price shield for fuel oil. Of the 3 million French people heating with oil, 1.4 million, the most modest, will receive a check for 100 to 200 euros.

For the retiree, who fulfills his tank three times a year is still not enough. “We always accept, but 200 [euros] compared to the increase, it does not make up the difference in price” he said. In Lorraine, the inhabitants did not wait for the government to lighten the bill. A hundred of them, spread over three municipalities, came together for a group purchase. More numerous, they can shoot them price down, and do so 20% savings. “Locally, we should get more used to pooling, associating and federating to benefit from other prices”says one of the buyers. According to the governmentthe aid will be paid from November.