WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Congressman John F. Tierney (D-MA), along with many of his New England colleagues, called on President Bush to immediately release $120 million in contingency funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), the federally funded block grant program that helps ease the energy cost burden for seniors, low-income households, and those with disabilities.
Tierney, who recently met with residents and social service groups in Gloucester, Lynn and Peabody to provide an opportunity for community members to share how they are being impacted by increasing fuel costs and suggest solutions they believe should be implemented, views this assistance as critical.
"This winter, home heating prices in New England are expected to increase an average of $2 a gallon. At the same time, only 16% of households eligible for assistance will receive the help they need. As a result, many Massachusetts families may be unable to heat their homes and others may have to assume significant debt just to stay warm. This is unacceptable,” said Congressman Tierney.
In preparation for the cold New England winter, Congressman Tierney has been unwavering in his support of this issue. Earlier this summer, Congressman Tierney joined like-minded colleagues in requesting $9 billion in funds for LIHEAP for FY 2008. Then, Congressman Tierney signed a letter to House Leadership requesting significant additional funds for LIHEAP be considered in either a second economic stimulus package, or stand alone legislation.
“I have long advocated for robust funding of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). As the stories we heard during our roundtable discussion attest action must be taken before the winter sets in, and I will continue working with my colleagues to ensure that those individuals and families in need receive federal assistance."
A copy of the letter is attached.
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September 10, 2008
President George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear President Bush,
As members of Congress from New England, we write you today to urge the immediate release of $120 million in remaining contingency funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), to help cushion the impact of rising home heating oil costs on many of our most vulnerable constituents. With home heating oil prices in New England this winter expected to have risen by an average of nearly $2 a gallon over last year, many families simply will be unable to afford to heat their homes. Of the more than 8.5 million American households that use home heating oil, 2.5 million of them – nearly 30 percent – are located in the six New England states alone.
Currently, $100 million remains in unexpended LIHEAP contingency funds for Fiscal Year 2008, as well an additional $20 million in non-expiring funds from Fiscal Year 2005. The release of these remaining funds will help cushion the impact of out-of-control home heating prices on vulnerable poor, elderly, and disabled populations, whose fixed incomes cannot keep pace with the increasing cost of heating their homes. Indeed, these skyrocketing energy prices are already forcing working families to make difficult sacrifices. The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association (NEADA) reported earlier this summer that more than 15 million households nationwide are currently facing utility shutoffs because they simply cannot afford to pay their energy bills, an increase of nearly 15 percent from a year ago.
Releasing LIHEAP contingency funds before the winter arrives is an approach that has effectively mitigated the problem of high energy prices in past years. A release of funds now could allow families to secure heating oil for the coming season before prices climb even higher. Most recently, on September 12, 2006, you released $79.96 million in emergency LIHEAP funds to 14 states, including all six New England states. That disbursement was targeted to those states that had experienced the coldest wintertime temperatures and where 15 percent or more of low-income households relied on home heating oil. At the time, Secretary Leavitt said, "This assistance will help states prepare for heating costs this fall and winter. With this funding, the Bush Administration is helping those in need by ensuring their homes are kept warm during the winter months." Since that time, the need for home heating assistance has only increased.
Because of funding limitations, only 16 percent of households eligible for LIHEAP actually receive any assistance. With the alarming spike in heating oil costs, demand is likely to grow significantly this coming winter. While we need to pursue a variety of long-term solutions to stabilize the cost of heating oil and to better conserve energy, the release of these remaining emergency LIHEAP funds for FY 2008 will provide an important source of short-term relief for struggling American families.
Thank you for your attention to this issue of profound importance.
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