Reply #44: Citgo extends discounted oil sales to Del.

[UpInArms]

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/business/13871471.htm

CARACAS, Venezuela - Venezuela's Citgo Petroleum Corp. extended discounted sales of heating oil to Delaware on Tuesday, the company's latest effort to provide affordable fuel to low-income families in the United States.

Representatives of Citgo, a Houston-based subsidiary of Venezuela's state-run Petroleos de Venezuela SA, have said it plans to provide 55 million gallons of heating oil at a 40 percent discount this winter to low-income U.S. communities that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused Washington of neglecting.

Venezuela's information ministry announced in a statement on Tuesday that 1.15 million gallons would be available at the reduced rate to 5,000 low-income households in Delaware. Twenty homeless shelters will receive free heating fuel.

"The aid forms part of the social program implemented by Citgo in several American states as a result of the energy crisis in the United States," the statement said.

Citgo Chief Executive Officer Felix Rodriguez said the discounted fuel would help poor families escape high energy costs during the cold winter months.

"We have heard horror stories of families forced to heat their homes with their stoves because they have no money for heating oil," Rodriguez said in a statement. "No one should be forced to sacrifice food, shelter or medicine to stay warm."

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