BOSTON - Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy, along with 22 of their colleagues, co-sponsored the Keep Americans Warm Act of 2007, a bill to provide an additional $1 billion in emergency Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding.  This emergency assistance would be in addition to the overall Fiscal Year 2008 LIHEAP funding.

A new study released yesterday says that rising oil prices are expected to boost heating oil costs by nearly $1,000 for the average Massachusetts family this winter. That average is 39% higher than it was at this time last year.

“Millions of people across America, including thousands right here in Massachusetts, urgently need help – and they need it now.  We can’t put this off any longer. We must prepare for the soaring home heating costs that will surely hurt our state’s low-income families,” said Senator Kerry. “No one should have to worry about how to put food on their table or have to go without medical care just so they can heat their homes. But those could be very real choices for many Massachusetts families this winter. I strongly urge my colleagues to take the initiative now to make sure millions throughout Massachusetts and the rest of the nation aren’t left in the cold this winter.”

Senator Kennedy said, “As temperatures drop in the Commonwealth, and the price of heating oil escalates, families and seniors are increasingly worried that they can’t afford their heating bills. It’s essential that we immediately provide the necessary resources so that our citizens aren’t placed at risk this winter.”

Here in Massachusetts, nearly a third of all households depend on oil to heat their homes. Just over 40% rely on natural gas, and those households are expected to see an increase of 10% in heating costs this winter.

Along with Kerry and Kennedy, the following Senators co-sponsored the bill: Joseph Biden, Jeff Bingaman, Barbara Boxer, Sherrod Brown, Maria Cantwell, Robert Casey, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Norm Coleman, Susan Collins, Amy Klobuchar, Patrick Leahy, Joseph Lieberman, Richard Lugar, Robert Menendez, Barbara Mikulski, Barack Obama, Bernard Sanders, Charles Schumer, Gordon Smith, Olympia Snowe, John Sununu, and Debbie Stabenow.

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