More than half the people in the state could be facing a new tax.
The Commerce Committee will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposal to tax home heating oil for the first time..
If passed, you'll pay 1.5 cents per gallon in the first year, 2.5 cents per gallon in the second and 3.5 cents the third.
Sen. Gary Lebeau (D-3rd District), the co-chair of the committee. says he’ll reserve his opinion until listening to people at the hearing but says the $160 million expected to be generated in the coming years will go into the states clean energy fund which is meant to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.
“That’s what this is all about- to have greater efficiency. Ultimately, it will help homeowners and businesses so they can save on propane and heating oil going forward.”
Janet Squires pays more than 4500 dollars a year to heat her 19th century home in Windsor Locks. The extra $50 dollars she’ll pay if the new tax becomes law won’t change her spending habits, but it still not something she’s happy about.
“Its more tax. It’s more money. It’s another gas bill, another light bill another dinner with my kids. It just keeps increasing.
Also not happy about are the states oil companies. Vice President of the Connecticut Energy Management Association, Chris Herb, says its an unnecessary tax on a household necessity for more than half the people in the state.
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“The home heating oil dealers in Connecticut, they’re 600 small private family owned companies. Most in their 3rd and 4th generation. They are absolutely outraged. It’s an assault on them and their customers.”
The hearing will be held on Tuesday in the Legislative Office Building at 11am.
