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Klobuchar: LIHEAP Funds Will Help Minnesotans Stay Warm

Klobuchar supports action, pushes for more to help Minnesotans

January 10, 2008

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the final $19.3 million dollars for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help keep Minnesotans warm in sub zero winter temperatures.  Klobuchar is concerned that additional funds will be needed to help Minnesotans keep up with rapidly rising heating bills in a long and cold winter.

“Families across our state continue to struggle with the meteoric rise in home heating costs,” said Klobuchar. “Even with this additional help, we must continue to push for adequate funding to help Minnesotans keep warm in frigid winter temperatures.  High heating costs are a reminder of the importance of investing in the renewable fuels of the future that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil and lessen the burden on our hard working families.”

Klobuchar has been a strong supporter of the LIHEAP program which helps families deal with their rapidly rising home heating bills.  Including the funds released today, Minnesota has received a total of $77.5 million as part of the program this year, and Klobuchar pushed at every turn to make sure the funds were released as soon as possible to make sure Minnesota families aren’t left in the cold.

Klobuchar took action earlier this year pushing for increases in both regular and contingency LIHEAP funding. Klobuchar has championed the successful program and is an original cosponsor of Senator Sanders (I-VT) “Keeping Americans Warm Act,” which would provide an additional $1 billion in emergency funding for LIHEAP in FY2008. 

Klobuchar worked with her colleagues to include $590.3 million in contingency funding for FY08 as part of the omnibus appropriations bill – a $409 million increase over FY07.  The legislation also included $1.98 billion in regular funding for LIHEAP. 

Note: Regular funding is distributed to states by a formula, whereas emergency contingency funding is available for distribution at the discretion of HHS on a need basis.

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