Found this on another board, and cannot verify its veracity. I'm sure if this correct it will be big news shortly.

************************ Massachusetts Seeks State of Emergency

Just heard on the Channel 4 news (WBZ Boston) that President Clinton has been asked to declare a state of emergency in Massachusetts because thousands and thousands of MA residents are cold. There is little oil and what there is, thousands cannot afford. Yikes. I'm from MA. Did I mention how much I like my y2k wood stove!

*********************

And did I tell you that I like my wood stove too?

-- paul leblanc (bronyaur@gis.net), February 06, 2000

Answers

paul, can't verify the State of Emergency yet, but talked to Mass. relative yesterday who said home fuel prices are almost double. Read somewhere else (think it was Mass.), that the energy assistance program had stopped taking applications. And it is sooooo very cold there.

-- 1 2 3 (we@areit.com), February 06, 2000.

W'eve been dragging around our wood stove since we left the little cabin where we used it in the late seventies, stashing it in basements and garages. Finally installed it again this year for the first time. Not my heating method of choice, but how I like my Y2k woodstove!

-- Firemouse (firemouse@fcmail.com), February 06, 2000.

Paul,

Thanks for the post. BTW, how do you feel about your wood stove?

Frank

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), February 06, 2000.

Hey Paul - Have I told you how much I really like my Massachusetts y2k wood stoves??

-- Brooks (brooksbie@hotmail.com), February 06, 2000.

Fuel Oil in Mass = 1.67/gal, just 2 days later 1.89/gal - last season .67/gal

-- ExCop (yinadral@hotmail.com), February 07, 2000.