Washington, Oct 17 -

Bath, NY – October 17, 2008 - U.S. Representative John R. “Randy” Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) today applauded Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt for releasing $5.1 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). New York State will receive $538,243,391 in funds to help millions of families and seniors heat their homes and survive another winter.

“As winter approaches and the temperature creeps closer to zero, there is a dire need to ensure that everyone, regardless of tax bracket, has heating,” said Rep. Kuhl. “This winter, home heating costs in the Northeast are expected to reach record levels and cause severe hardships for low and moderate income households. By releasing this desperately needed funding, more Americans will be able to stay warm.”

The LIHEAP funding, which was released today, was provided under the Continuing Resolution Congressman Kuhl supported for FY 2009. LIHEAP helps low-income families pay a portion of their winter heating bills. The program provides heating and cooling assistance to almost 5 million low-income households, including the elderly, disabled persons, and families with young children. LIHEAP was created to ensure that families living at or below the poverty level do not have to choose between paying for heat and paying for their food or other necessities.

Since coming to Congress, Representative Kuhl has fought to increase funding for LIHEAP. Over the past year, he has sent several letters to President Bush, House appropriators, the Secretary of Energy, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, urging them to fund LIHEAP and related programs such as Weatherization Assistance and State Energy. Last month, he sent a letter to House Leadership and the House Committee on Appropriations to ask for their support in providing $5.1 billion for the LIHEAP in any Continuing Resolution that may be considered.

=30=