As winter approaches, the approximately 4.8 million U.S. homes that depend upon home heating oil can expect to see a 60% price jump as a result of the Iran War. In just the first four weeks of the war, home fuel oil prices soared 35%, according to the New York Times. In New York State the average price for home heating oil was $6.14 per gallon for the week of Sept. 14, a huge jump from the already high price of $3.70 per gallon one year ago.

Since July the National Energy Assistance Directors Association has been warning of the consequences of this level of price hike on families this winter, and has called on Congress to take emergency action. This association represents state officials who are responsible for government aid programs for energy. Despite the urgency of the problem, Congress left town.