Energy Action Network
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Fossil fuel price increases added $32.4 million in estimated costs for Vermont drivers and fuel oil customers in the month of March. Specifically, EAN estimates that $174 million was spent on gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil in Vermont in March, rather than the $141 million that would have been spent if prices for those fuels had held at end of February prices.
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The cost of gasoline for the average Vermont driver increased by more than $50 a month, to about $210, as of the end of March. When gasoline prices are one dollar per gallon higher, Vermont drivers experience an average cost increase of more than $53 per month, or about $640 per year.
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Fuel oil costs increased by over $1.50 in March. For every additional dollar per gallon, fuel oil costs rise by about $700 per year for an average Vermont home during an average Vermont winter. At $2 a gallon higher, average annual fuel oil costs increase by over $1,400.
These are key findings from new analysis by EAN, a statewide nonprofit organization that conducts energy-related data tracking, research, and analysis released in April. Since early March, EAN has been analyzing the cost increases that Vermont and Vermonters have been facing since fossil fuel price spikes began after the start of war in Iran.
For the full updated analysis, see https://eanvt.org/blog/april-fossil-fuel-price-increases/
Additional findings include:
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Total gasoline costs in Vermont were over $15 million higher in March than they would have been if gasoline prices had stayed at their end of February level ($88 million vs. $73 million).
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Over a full year, gasoline at $4.00/gallon rather than $3.00/gallon would translate to an increase in annual statewide gasoline costs of about $287 million.
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Total fuel oil costs in Vermont are estimated to have been about $11.7 million higher in March than they would have been if fuel oil prices had held at their end of February level ($56.7 million vs. $45 million).
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Over a full year, fuel oil at $6.00/gallon rather than $4.00/gallon would translate to an increase in annual statewide fuel oil costs of about $178 million.
Unfortunately, the costs to Vermont of continued fossil fuel dependence and exposure to fossil fuel price volatility are not new. About 80% of total average household energy costs in Vermont come from the use of fossil fuels for transportation and heating, creating a large energy cost burden for households.
Over the years, EAN’s research has identified five key features of fossil fuels. They are expensive; price-volatile; drain money out of the Vermont economy; heavily polluting, and inefficient. More information and analysis on energy affordability is available in EAN’s 2025 Annual Progress Report for Vermont.
