Hogansburg, NY, Mar 07, 2013 — Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is stirring up as much controversy after his death as he did during his life.

Chavez was a strident opponent of the United States. But he also helped many poor people, even in the U.S.

Republicans slammed New York Democrat Jose Serrano yesterday for praising Chavez on this point. Under Chavez, Venezuela's national oil company, CITGO, donated 200 million gallons of home heating oil to low income Americans, including to Mohawks in Akwesasne.

David Sommerstein reported on the program in 2006. He checks back in for our Story 2.0 series, where we revisit stories from the NCPR archive.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Nov 30, 2012 — Small-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency are among the topics up for discussion at a mini-energy fair in Canton tomorrow. The Local Living Venture is sponsoring the event at Cooperative Extension's Learning Farm on Route 68.

Todd Moe spoke with co-organizer Chelle Lindahl, who says the event will include speakers, workshops and local vendors.  Go to full article

Newtown, CT, Mar 01, 2011 — Record-setting snowfall and sub-zero temperatures in the Northeast have led to increased demand for firewood this heating season. There's also been an uptick in complaints by consumers who say they're getting less firewood than they pay for. As part of a collaboration with Northeast stations, WNPR's Diane Orson reports.

Northeast environmental reporting is made possible, in part, by a grant from United Technologies.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Jun 04, 2010 — More than a hundred people came to the Department of Environmental Conservation's first public hearing last night in Watertown about outdoor wood furnaces. The DEC says the boilers are a significant source of air pollution and have never been regulated. It wants owners to replace old furnaces within ten years and erect higher chimneys to keep smoke away from neighbors. But the message in the room was nearly unanimous. People said the new rules are a major government intrusion and should be scrapped. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Harrisville, NY, Apr 28, 2010 — Outdoor wood furnaces have become increasingly popular across the North Country. They can save homeowners more than a thousand dollars a year on heating costs. But they've also become a bigger source of air pollution and complaints from neighbors. The Department of Environmental Conservation wants to impose new regulations on outdoor furnaces. They include rules on boiler efficiency, chimney height, and what can be burned inside. As David Sommerstein reports, a provision to force owners to replace existing furnaces may be the most controversial.  Go to full article

Jan 07, 2009 — A piece of news yesterday brings us the next installment of our new series, "Story 2.0". We're revisiting stories from the North Country Public Radio archive to see what's happened since. CITGO, the U.S. branch of the national oil company of Venezuela, is stopping shipments of free heating oil for poor families in America's cities. That word came yesterday from the non-profit organization that distributes the fuel. CITGO also donates free heating oil to native tribes, including the Akwesasne Mohawks. The company has given away $1.5 million in heating oil to Mohawk families. David Sommerstein was there in 2006 when CITGO began the program, sparking some geopolitical controversy.  Go to full article

Dec 01, 2008 — The cost of home heating oil has confounded everyone this year. History dictates that prices follow demand: they drop in the summer and go up when it gets cold - and people need fuel to heat their homes. But this year, the cost per gallon peaked in mid-July. According to NYSERDA, the price of heating oil is at its lowest point of the year right now. This is good news for last-minute fuel buyers, but it's another financial mess for people who locked in a payment plan or bought all their oil over the summer. Keith Wells of Saranac Lake bought hundreds of gallons of fuel in July at $4.49 a gallon. Last week, the average price in the North Country fell to $2.83. Speaking with Brian Mann, Wells says he buys heating oil in bulk every summer. This is the first year, he says, when this strategy backfired - and cost him dearly.  Go to full article

Dec 01, 2008 — Since August, people who buy heating oil for their homes have seen the price go in only one direction - down. That's not the case for fuel sellers. They get oil on the wholesale market where prices can shoot up one minute and drop off sharply the next. Jonathan Brown talked with one seller who says this fluctuation is making a tough business much harder.  Go to full article

Aug 22, 2008 — As people across the Northeast look toward winter - and the volatile price of heating oil - demand for wood is through the roof. Woodcutters are struggling to keep up. Ken Stone's been cutting and stacking firewood for 25 years. He tells Jonathan Brown that he's never had a year like this.  Go to full article

Aug 12, 2008 — The price of oil has been going down lately, but people are still worried about heating their homes this winter. The skyrocketing prices of oil and natural gas are fueling a run on pellet stoves. A winter's heat from pellet stoves can cost half of that from an oil furnace. Dealers across the North Country report they can't keep up with demand. The pellets themselves are made from wood scraps at factories across North America. But alternative energy and agricultural leaders believe high prices are hastening the day when pellets are made from grass. And they hope that grass will be grown right here in the North Country. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article