Contact: Barbara Riley
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

MANCHESTER, NH – United States Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu (R-NH) today (10/15) announced that the Administration will on Thursday release $47.7 million in Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to New Hampshire for fiscal year 2009 - an historic, record-setting level of heating aid for low income seniors, individuals, and families across the state.

The amount - $34.1 million in block grant funds plus an additional $13.6 million of contingency funds - nearly doubles Congress’s commitment to funding this program from last year and is part of $5.1 billion being released nationwide by the Administration on Thursday, October 16.

Senator Gregg stated: “Families and seniors across New Hampshire and the country are facing a very serious situation this coming winter.  With temperatures soon to drop in the Granite State and home heating costs forecasted to be significantly more expensive than last year, this record level of assistance provides critical help during today’s difficult economic times.  As a supporter of this boost in LIHEAP funds, I am pleased that the entire $5.1 billion is being released, which illustrates the importance of this issue and will help the state plan on how this federal assistance can be effectively distributed to those in need.” 

Senator Sununu stated, “The Community Assistance Program Directors and senior citizens’ groups that I have met with over the past month have reiterated concerns that low-income residents across New Hampshire are struggling to meet the cost of high fuel bills. This historic level of heating aid will go a long way toward bringing them peace of mind in knowing that aid is available when they need it.  A doubling of home heating assistance puts state officials and the organizations that distribute in a stronger position to plan as temperatures decline.  Since coming to Congress in 1997, I have strongly backed low-income heating aid and fought for funding increases, including those in Senator Gregg’s ‘Warm Act;’ New Hampshire can be assured that work will continue.”

Gregg and Sununu supported passage of $5.1 billion in LIHEAP funds as part on the Continuing Resolution on September 27. The legislation will fund the government through March of 2009 and was recently signed into law by the President.

See background information below, outlining nationwide and New Hampshire funding levels for LIHEAP for 2008 and 2009:


Nationwide:

• Fiscal Year 2009:  $5.1 billion ($4.509 billion in block grants and $590 million in contingency funds).

• Fiscal Year 2008: $2.509 billion ($1.98 billion in block grants and $611 million in contingency funds.)

New Hampshire:

• Fiscal Year 2009, $47.7 million ($34.1 million in block funding as well as $13.6 million in contingency funds).

• Fiscal Year 2008: $25.6 million ($15.6 million in block grants and $9.9 million in contingency funds.)

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