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| NEC › Issues › Energy & Environment › LIHEAP | ||
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance ProgramThe New England Council strongly supports increasing funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to at least $3.4 billion. LIHEAP provides critical funding for low income families to pay fuel costs during the year. For New England, LIHEAP provides a critical stopgap for households trying to balance the high costs of heating their homes and providing for their families. New England has no natural energy resources of its own and relies on importing energy sources into the region. As a result, New England is particularly susceptible to sudden price changes if there are any issues surrounding supply and delivery. Additionally, New England is colder than other regions of the country and has more heating degree-days. These factors contribute to an already high price for home heating fuels. Over the past few years, the prices of home heating oil and natural gas, New England's two largest heating fuel sources, have increased dramatically. Meanwhile, funding for the LIHEAP program has remained around $2 billion, including emergency funding, since it was created over two decades ago. As a result, the program's funding in terms of real dollars has diminished at a time when the program is needed most. It is estimated that over 314,000 New Englanders are currently receiving LIHEAP aid with an average region wide benefit of $413 annually. However, states are faced with having to turn families away, reducing the overall program benefits, or closing the program early because there are insufficient funds to serve all those who are in need. The New England Council supports substantial increases in LIHEAP funding as well as the automatic distribution of any unallocated emergency funds through the LIHEAP distribution formula. Given the program's importance to low-income New Englanders, the New England Council will continue to work with the New England Congressional delegation to ensure that families do not have to choose between providing for their families and paying their energy bills. Education:
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