Markey: American Families Need Full Funding of Heating Assistance Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-0412

Markey: American Families Need Full Funding of Heating Assistance Program

With Billions for Bailouts, Families Must Not be Frozen Out this Winter, Says Chairman

WASHINGTON (September 23, 2008) – Following the largest single day spike in oil prices ever, Representative Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and his colleagues are calling for full funding of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program at $5.1 billion to stave off what could be a disastrous winter for millions of American families.

“If we are looking to give hundreds of billions in bailouts to Wall Street, providing five billion dollars to ensure American families aren’t frozen out this winter should be a no-brainer,” said Rep. Markey, who is Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, which will hold a hearing this Thursday on the LIHEAP program and the home heating crisis.

Rep. Markey helped lead an effort to collect signatures on a letter sent late yesterday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wis.) and Appropriations Ranking Member Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) requesting that the LIHEAP program receive the full funding level of $5.1 billion this year in any continuing resolution to fund the government. Rep. Markey was joined on the letter by 94 of his colleagues in the House. Reports have indicated the program will receive the full funding level after years of being under-funded. Last year the program only received $2 billion in regular funds.

The letter can be found HERE.

Last week the Bush administration released the last $121 million of LIHEAP “contingency” funds, drying up the emergency funds months before the coldest weather hits the nation.

“Millions of families are already struggling with rising gas and food prices, home payments, and the specter of a troubled economy,” said Rep. Markey. “Now they are seeing some of the highest oil prices in history and wondering ‘how will I keep my family warm this winter?’ For many families this winter, this extra funding will be a big help when they need it the most.”  

Home heating oil prices are expected to spike upwards of $4.60 per gallon this winter, a record. That could drive the total heating costs for average families above $4,000.

The crisis is not just isolated in cold-weather areas, however. Energy bills in Phoenix are up 36 percent this year, and millions of families in both warm and cold weather climates could face utility shutoffs this year due to an inability to pay their bills.

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