"With heating oil in Maine reaching $1.91 a gallon, we are pleased that the Department of Health and Human Services acted quickly to release over $2.6 million in emergency funding for the State of Maine before the worst of our long, cold winter hits. For our most vulnerable citizens, this is essential relief so they don't have to make a devastating choice between food and heat," Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement.
The Maine State Planning Office (SPO) announced yesterday that the average heating oil price in Maine is $1.91 a gallon. This represents a $0.50 increase in heating oil prices over this time last year.
"Mainers remember all too well how brutal our winter was last year. Many families who couldn't afford their heating bills last year when heating oil was $0.50 cheaper again face the start of another winter with even higher heating prices," the Senators continued. "While this money is indeed welcome, we must do more to increase the overall funding for LIHEAP - a program that provides essential energy relief to low-income Americans. When the Congress returns in January, we pledge to continue to fight for more funding for this critical program."
LIHEAP provides a safety net against high energy costs for the nation's low-income households, disabled individuals and senior citizens living on fixed incomes. The number of households eligible for LIHEAP assistance has grown steadily since 1981, but the number of households served has declined, because of high fuel costs. Last year, approximately 45,000 Maine households were able to meet their energy needs because of the LIHEAP program.
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