Join our Campaign
- Newsroom | Press Shop ¦ Permalink | Share
Home heating aid to states will nearly double
Oct 17, 12:54 PM
By ANDREW MIGA
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Bush administration on Thursday released $5.1
billion in fuel assistance to states, nearly doubling federal money to
help poor people cope with high home heating bills expected this
winter.
Despite oil price drops in recent months, lawmakers from cold weather
states said high energy prices and the slumping economy are leaving
many families struggling to pay to keep warm.
“The double whammy of rising costs and economic uncertainty is hitting
local consumers hard,” said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. “With this
increase in funding, hopefully no one in Massachusetts should have to
make a heat-or-eat decision this winter.”
About 2 million more families are expected to get fuel aid this
winter, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors’
Association, which represents state-run low-income energy assistance
programs. About 5.8 million families got help last winter.
The extra money could enable states to increase benefit levels as well
as help more people.
The Northeast, with its cold winters and reliance on oil heat, is
particularly vulnerable to high energy costs.
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., said there has been a sharp increase
in the number of families applying for aid in his state.
“More and more families in Connecticut and across the country are
struggling to keep up with rising home heating costs,” Dodd said.
“These additional funds will go a long way toward helping the tens of
thousands of senior citizens and low income families in our state
fighting to stay warm this winter.”
Home heating oil in Connecticut currently averages about $3.30 a
gallon, an increase of nearly $1 per gallon since the beginning of
2007, said Rep. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. Connecticut families are
expected to pay upwards of $3,000 for heating oil this winter, he
said.
“Everywhere I go in this district, I hear from people who are
concerned about how they are going to heat their homes and their
businesses this winter,” Murphy.
The increased fuel aid was included in a stopgap budget bill that
Congress passed and President Bush signed last month.
