Bush's plan, which is still be refined and is not finalized, does not propose extra funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Northeast legislators say the program is vital for their region and chronically underfunded.
Because the outline is vague, however, they offered only low-key criticism. Rep. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., a chief proponent of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve, said privatization would undermine the reserve's goal. The 2 million barrel reserve, created last year, is operated by the Energy Department. The Energy secretary has authority to release oil into the market to offset sharp price spikes or severe shortages. White House officials were unavailable to comment Wednesday.