This is the logo of its oil company, CITGO. Winter 2006 - CITGO is owned by the government of Venezuela, through the national oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). They have announced plans to make 1 million gallons of heating oil available at a 40 percent discount off of wholesale market price. Homeless shelters in Deleware will receive an additional 150,000 gallons of fuel free as part of the program.
The program, between the Venezuelan-owned CITGO, and the non-profit Citizens Energy Corporation of Boston and Delaware's Catholic Charities, will be available to 20,000 low income residents in Delaware.
The program was announced by Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez, CITGO Petroleum Corporation C.E.O Felix Rodriguez and Citizens Energy Corporation Chairman Joseph P. Kennedy in Willmington on February 14, 2006.
CITGO is the only oil company that responded to the call by US Senators to use part of their windfall profits to help low income citizens in the US. A dozen U.S. senators asked 10 major oil companies to donate a portion of their record profits to help the poor. Only Citgo responded, assisting housing projects in New York and Massachusetts. CITGO's CEO, Felix Rodriguez, cited the program as part of a humanitarian response to recent weather events in the United States. “After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita left this country paying record fuel prices, oil companies were asked to help Americans in need. We are happy to respond, by offering people here in Delaware help this winter,” said Rodriguez.
Venezuelan Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Alvarez, told the audience, “What we are doing here in Delaware, reaching out to help low-income people, is consistent with what our Venezuelan government is trying to do at home with social programs that have taught 1.5 million adults to read and given access to health care to more than 10 million Venezuelans.
The program has also helped homeless shelters and Native American tribes in Maine and Rhode Island.
State Department spokesman Adam Ereli welcomed the heating aid, saying, "Citgo is an American company. They are helping Americans in need. That is a good thing."
In late September, CITGO received a message from Bush, saying that the company's Hurricane Katrina aid efforts "demonstrate the character and great strength of our nation,"
CITGO has offered to provide heating oi, and even some at the pump for discount to low-income residents in other cities and states. But not locale has accepted. For example, if you live in Chicago, and are cold, you might want to contact your mayor about why you weren't given this same option, as the offer was turned down.