This jump in prices is attributed to several factors including the uncertainty over the possibility of war with Iraq, the cessation of oil exports out of Venezuela, and the colder-than-normal weather this winter. With little prospect for a quick resolution of the situations in Iraq and Venezuela, and the continued forecasts for a cold winter, all of us in Maine will likely pay more to heat our homes this year than last.
This strains everyone's pocketbook, but it places a particular burden on seniors living on limited incomes, and low-income families. In fact, these families often carry a higher energy burden than most Americans; they can spend up to 20 percent of their income on home energy bills. No one should have to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table, prescriptions in the medicine cabinet, or even staying in their homes altogether. Experience has shown, however, that pressures to pay energy bills and the inability to pay have resulted in increased medical expenses for the elderly, malnutrition for infants, and even homelessness.
Fortunately, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) exists to provide heating and cooling assistance to these households. First established in 1981, LIHEAP exists "to assist low-income households, particularly those with the lowest income, that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs." Created in response to the energy crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, LIHEAP was designed to provide assistance to low-income households with a minimum of government bureaucracy and a maximum of involvement by civic institutions. Federal dollars for LIHEAP are allocated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the states, which in turn distribute the funds through programs tailored to fit their individual needs. LIHEAP funds are supplemented to a limited extent by additional state appropriations, programs from energy suppliers and utilities, church donations, and local charitable "fuel funds" administered by the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and other organizations.
Because so many of our neighbors depend on this vital assistance, I have championed increased funding for this successful program throughout my tenure in the Senate. This year, as co-chair of the Northeast Midwest Senate Coalition, I am marshaling the support of my Senate colleagues to press for increased LIHEAP funds. Late last month, I sent a letter to President Bush signed by 43 of my colleagues requesting that he support $1.7 billion in LIHEAP funding for fiscal year 2003. We also requested that the Bush Administration provide at least $1.7 billion in funding for the fiscal year 2004 budget. While our country faces difficult choices in shaping its budget, there is a strong need for LIHEAP assistance, and I will continue to make the case for increased LIHEAP funding as Congress completes spending bills in the weeks ahead.
If you or your neighbor is interested in finding out more about the LIHEAP program or applying for assistance, you can contact Maine's energy assistance director, Jo-Ann Choate at (207) 624-5708.