Controversial Heating Oil Program Put on Hold

Joseph P. Kennedy II , chairman of Citizens Energy, said the nonprofit has suspended its heating-oil program for low-income households because Citgo Petroleum, the Texas unit of Venezuela’s national oil company, is rethinking “all of its social programs.” The program has stirred up controversy since it was launched in 2005 because Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has frequently lobbed verbal assaults on Washington, including calling President George W. Bush “the devil” in a 2006 U.N. speech — a reference he repeated a day later at an event to publicize the heating-oil program. Kennedy said in a statement that Citgo, which funds the program, cited “falling oil prices and the world economic crisis” for the re-evaluation of its social outreach efforts. He also suggested a little grassroots lobbying, urging “interested people to write to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to tell him the stories you have told me of the difference the generous donation of heating oil has ... (link)