
By Shelly Sindland
Chief Communications Officer
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association
Jamie Densmore is the third generation owner of Densmore Oil Company in Mystic, Connecticut. Her cozy, salmon pink office building has been a fixture in town for more than 60 years, and is located kitty corner to Mystic Pizza, that nostalgic spot which inspired the iconic 1988 Julia Robertâs film.
Not exactly the picture many people might imagine when they think of a home heating oil dealer but the truth remains that people like Densmore are literally changing the face of the industry. More women now than ever have taken over the reigns of their family businesses, and are helping to move it in a new direction.
âThe industry has changed a lot,â Densmore said. âI mean, 70 years ago, do you think there would be a woman running an oil company? Probably not, but I see more and more females at our industry summit! Itâs great to see that we are becoming a more diverse industry, not just with our fuel but with the people running our companies.â

Where the industry is going is very much on track with my school background and what I believe in.
Jamie Densmore, owner of Densmore Oil Company in Mystic
Densmore, a young mother with a 14-month-old toddler at home, also holds two degrees: a bachelorâs in biological science and a masterâs degree in public administration.
âWhere this industry is going is very much on track with my school background and what I believe in,â Densmore said. âWe offer a cleaner, greener fuel and our customers love it!â
In fact, the home heating oil industry in Connecticut has made significant strides during the past decade to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Heating oil in Connecticut is now an ultra low sulfur fuel mixed with biodiesel, a renewable green fuel made from discarded restaurant oil and soybean oil. The brand name is called BioheatÂź fuel, and itâs better for the environment than natural gas!
âItâs made right here in The United States which is big for us,â Densmore said. âAll of our heating systems are also made in U.S.A., which is important to us because it helps keep good paying jobs here at home. It also reduces our dependency on foreign oil.â
In fact, the largest biodiesel manufacturer on the East Coast is located in Connecticut on New Havenâs Harbor, creating jobs and fueling the local economy.

The narrative is that fossil fuels are just this horrible thing and the piece thatâs missing from that is that the industry in Connecticut âand New England for that matterâhas really taken it upon ourselves to move to a greener, cleaner fuel.
Kate Childs, president of Tuxis-Ohr’s Fuel in Meriden
âThe narrative is that fossil fuels are just this horrible thing and the piece thatâs missing from that is that the industry in Connecticutâand New England for that matterâhas really taken it upon ourselves to move to a greener, cleaner fuel,â said Kate Childs, with Tuxis-Ohrâs fuel based in Meriden.
âThe sulfur content has basically been removed from the product. We are mixing it regularly with biodiesel, and I believe the future is bright for us given the fact that we will be adding more and more biodiesel to the fuel in the coming years and maybe one day, not too far away, our fuel will be 100 percent renewable!â
Thatâs why Childs, Densmore, and other home heating oil retailers in Connecticut, are urging state regulators NOT to leave them out of the stateâs new energy plan that looks to convert homes and office buildings away from fossil fuels and to electric heat as a way to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
âWe donât want to have people with no heat in the middle of winter because their electricity went out. Our grid canât handle everything. Hooking up more homes and cars to an already overburdened regional grid will only lead to more problems, and I fear put people in danger,â Childs said.
Not only that, the stateâs new plan to electrify everything would make utilities mega, monstrous, omnipotent monopolies.

I think that customers should be able to do their own research and pick the fuel thatâs best for their household and family.
Sue Santopietro, president of Baribault Fuel in Oakville
âI think itâs best if consumers have a choice on how they want to heat their homes,â said Sue Santopietro with Baribault fuel in Oakville. âIf people want electric heat, they should be able to get electric heat. If people want heating oil, propane or natural gas, they should be able to get that too. The more choices that consumers have the better it is for prices and services. People should have the freedom to choose what is best for their family and their households.â
The key to lowering greenhouse gas emissions is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The only way to keep people safe and warm during harsh winter months is through fuel diversity. All green and renewable fuels deserve a seat at the table in this proposed plan. The women urge regulators not to put all of our energy eggs into one basketâa move they say would be risky, costly and greatly endanger our stateâs energy future, economy and lives.