Irving Oil Warns of Higher Heating Costs Due to Canadian Tariffs
New England, March 2025 - Irving Oil has notified customers in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont that President Trump's tariffs on Canada will result in immediate price increases for heating oil. The company estimates that these costs will significantly impact energy security and the broader economy.
According to a letter from Irving Energy, the tariff, or "tax" as the Canadian company describes it, will be applied to existing customer contracts. President Trump recently imposed 25% duties on Canada's energy imports, along with 10% tariffs on China and Mexico.
Economists have long predicted that American consumers would bear the brunt of these tariffs, despite Trump's campaign claims to the contrary. On Sunday, the president acknowledged that Americans may experience financial challenges as his "Golden Age" policies take effect.
The potential for increased heating costs comes at an inopportune time for New Englanders, who rely heavily on heating oil during the peak demand months. Many northern states import energy from Canada, particularly from Quebec.
Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) emphasized Maine's reliance on its Canadian neighbor, with 95% of heating oil sourced from Canadian refineries. A congressional delegation from New Hampshire has already urged the president to reconsider the tariffs, citing estimates from the National Energy & Fuels Institute suggesting that the tariffs could increase heating costs by over $375 per winter.
Analysts estimate that the tariffs could cost American families an additional $1,000-$1,200 annually, a significant departure from the promises made by the president in his first-day executive order to provide "Emergency Price Relief for American Families."