Fuente: AP |
The
decision by Venezuela's
Citgo Petroleum Corp. to bow out of the program founded by Joseph P. Kennedy
II, which has helped hundreds of thousands of U.S.
residents, coincides with plummeting oil prices and corresponding economic
problems in oil-rich Venezuela.
Hopes of a
late contribution to the "Joe-4-Oil" program to help the poor heat
their homes faded with spring's arrival this week, Kennedy said.
"While
this is not good news, it certainly isn't surprising," the businessman and
former congressman told The Associated Press.
Citgo
officials declined to comment.
The Citgo
heating oil program was launched after Katrina damaged U.S. refining
capacity in 2005, causing energy costs to spike as winter approached.
Venezuelan
President Hugo Chavez, the fiery leader who died in 2013, responded to an
appeal from Kennedy to help out after criticizing then-Republican President
George W. Bush for failing to do enough for the poor. Houston-based Citgo is a
subsidiary of the Venezuelan national oil company.
Over the
years, the program has provided $500 million in heating assistance to 2 million
program participants in 25 states and the District of Columbia, supplementing federal
energy assistance.
Rita
Soucier, 80, said she and her husband received assistance many times over the
years, helping the couple stay warm in their trailer in the town of Howland, Maine.
This year,
there was no help, said Soucier, whose husband, a retired paper mill worker, died
last month. But she said she's grateful for past help, typically 100 gallons of heating
oil.
"It
helps a lot when you're not the richest people in the world," said
Soucier, who said her needs are few. "As long as I can get by, I don't
want any more or any less," she said.
Venezuela, which has the world's largest
proven oil reserves, has been hurt by declining prices. The unraveling economy,
cuts to social programs and growing political divisions have rocked the
once-stable country, leading to food shortages and a dramatic drop in currency
value.
Citizens
Energy continues to operate other programs. The nonprofit was created in 1979
to channel revenue from commercial enterprises to charitable programs.
But the
heating oil program may cease to exist. The "Joe-4-Oil" television
advertisements did not run this year or last, and a message online said that
applications for winter heating oil help were not being accepted.
The
nonprofit isn't giving up hope, however. The Citgo program was suspended in
2009, only to return a few months later.
Citizens
Energy continues to operate solar, wind and transmission projects that provide
assistance including solar panels for low-income homes, energy grants for
homeless shelters and natural gas subsidies for low-income households.
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