WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt applauded today’s release of $450 million from the Low Income Housing and Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) emergency contingency fund.

“As the average price of heating oil in Massachusetts reaches $3.22 a gallon, we are continuing to face a crisis in what may be the most expensive winter in years,” said Delahunt. “The release of these funds is crucial as state funds are running low and help is needed - now more than ever - as many families struggle to heat their homes.”

The Bush administration’s decision comes in the wake of growing pressure from Members of Congress, including Delahunt, to release additional LIHEAP funds, as numerous states, including Massachusetts, are seeing their LIHEAP resources quickly depleted)  The Energy Information Administration (EIA) has estimated that households can expect to pay between 10 to 22 percent more for heating fuels than this winter. 

In November, Delahunt joined with Presidents, CEOs and Chairs of the Boston teaching hospitals’ pediatric departments to draw attention to a report called  “Fuel For Our Future: Impacts of Energy Insecurity on Children’s Health, Nutrition, and Learning” from the Children’s Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program (C-SNAP).  

The report documents the widespread concern of area physicians that those individuals and families who struggle to pay rising home-heating costs are forced to make difficult decisions which greatly affect the health of their families.  According to the report, only 16.1% of the eligible households actually received LIHEAP aid last year.

Delahunt’s website has helpful fuel assistance information --  http://www.house.gov/delahunt/fuelassistance.shtml

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