From the Office of Senator Kerry

Wednesday, February 16, 2000

The Massachusetts Congressional Delegation hailed Presidents Clinton's decision today to release $125 million in additional federal funds for emergency heating assistance to low-income families. Through this action, low-income Massachusetts residents will receive an additional $13.1 million in aid to help them heat their homes. This third round of funding brings the total emergency assistance for Massachusetts this winter to $26.7 million.

Families qualify for emergency assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) if their household does not exceed 150% of the poverty level or 60% of the state median income. However, eligibility may be limited to the most needy families.

"Coming on the heals of today's Heating Oil Summit in Boston with Energy Secretary Bill Richardson, this funding shows that the Administration is making great efforts to deal with both the short and long-term needs of Massachusetts residents," stated Senator John F. Kerry. "While this funding will help those most in danger, much more is necessary to ensure that all families that need assistance will get it. In addition, we must use the information gathered today in Boston to guarantee that this price spike is not repeated and that anyone who unjustly profited during this period is held accountable."

Senator Kennedy said, "This additional relief is significant new progress in the emergency effort to help families struggling to cope with the heating oil crisis. Under today's plan, emergency relief for Massachusetts will double to $26.5 million, enabling many more families to receive the help they deserve. I intend to continue working with the Administration to deal with the immediate crisis, and to do all we can to avoid these damaging price spikes in the future."

"I applaud the President for releasing the remaining LIHEAP funding," Rep. McGovern said. "We need to do much more. I will support his request for an additional $600 million in LIHEAP supplemental funds and his calls to make assistance available to more families. I will continue to press for release of petroleum from the Strategic Oil Reserve, which will increase the supply available to consumers. And I will also continue to work with Senator Kerry and my other colleagues on our bill to require the Secretary of Energy to prepare a yearly report outlining the availability of oil supplies. We must not allow a repeat of this winter's crisis."

"I applaud today's decision by President Clinton to release more federal money for emergency fuel assistance. There is no reason why any family in Massachusetts should have to choose between food and fuel this winter. I hope this assistance will bring immediate comfort to those in need," said Congressman Richard E. Neal.

Rep. Moakley said, "The federal government is responding in stages to what is amounting to an enormous problem in Massachusetts. Although I welcome this third installment of emergency assistance to the poor, we have a far greater problem on our hands. It's only February, thousands of families don't qualify for this assistance, and we're in store for a lot more cold weather."

"I commend the Administration for releasing additional LIHEAP funding, but I am still concerned for those families who don't meet LIHEAP criteria. Thousands of families and businesses are still struggling because of high oil costs and the Administration needs to come up with a plan fast to help ease this crisis," Rep. Olver said.

Rep. Frank said, "I am pleased we are getting additional funds to help alleviate the impact of the oil price increases. I will continue working on other elements of a comprehensive response to this problem."

"As today's summit with Secretary Richardson underscored, we ought to be moving on a variety of fronts, both domestic and international, but we obviously can't have people literally freezing in their homes," Rep. Delahunt said. "With more emergency help on the way, we can stay focused on the overarching marketplace questions."

Rep. Mike Capuano said, "I thank the Administration for recognizing that an immediate need for additional LIHEAP funding exists in the Northeast and elsewhere. The $13 million released today to Massachusetts will help more people heat their homes for the remainder of winter. This is good news but we must find ways to address these extreme price fluctuations and supply shortages so that next winter, our residents have the resources they need."

Rep. Meehan said, "Over the past two months, I have heard from many Fifth District residents whose tight budgets have been severely strained by heating oil and diesel fuel prices that have almost doubled in a matter of weeks. Families are hurting and they need prompt and effective relief. It is simply unacceptable that families should go without their basic necessities in a period of economic prosperity."

Congressman John Tierney, who met last week with Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson to urge a bolder response from the Administration, applauded the release of the remaining funds. "I welcome the additional help for low income families, but I am even more encouraged by the Secretary's announcement today that fifteen million additional barrels of home heating oil from foreign suppliers is on its way to the United States. This will help all the families and seniors, as well as small businesses, who have been hit hard by this crisis."