Patrick Testifies to Support Increase in Home Heating Funds
PATRICK
Worcester Telegram and Gazette
Rachel Kolokoff
Boston University Washington News Service
September 25, 2008
WASHINGTON – Gov. Deval Patrick testified on Capitol Hill Thursday that Massachusetts could face a public health threat unless Congress increases funds for home heating assistance and encourages states to use energy more efficiently.
“Without help, many of our most vulnerable citizens will find themselves facing heating bills they cannot pay,” Mr. Patrick said. “And the challenge is right around the corner. Nighttime temperatures are already dropping into the 40s and 30s this week in New England.”
Mr. Patrick offered his testimony to the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to support $5.1 billion for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in fiscal year 2009.
That amount, which is almost double what states received this year, is part of an omnibus spending bill the House passed on Wednesday. Massachusetts would receive some $163 million, an increase of more than $36 million from this year.
While the governor applauded the House’s action, he also said the money is just a stopgap measure.
“High energy costs in the Northeast are a foreseeable and continuing reality,” Mr. Patrick said. “A dedicated federal plan that includes support for state LIHEAP programs, and also for efficiency strategies and renewable energy generation and delivery, is the big task remaining ahead.”
He said it will probably take $3,200 to $4,000 to heat an average Massachusetts household with oil this winter. He said he was hopeful that the bill will pass in the Senate.
“I met with the whole Massachusetts delegation today, and Sen. Kerry was there, and he’s hopeful, and I know he’s going to press for it,” the governor said. “Also, Chairman [Edward J.] Markey says he’s been in touch with his counterparts on the Senate side.”
U.S. Rep. Markey, D-Malden, the chairman of the select energy committee. said he hopes the Senate does the right thing by passing the bill.
“More families than ever will need assistance this winter, and the additional LIHEAP funding that Democrats have provided will hopefully ensure that everyone in need of help this winter will be able to get it,” Mr. Markey said in a statement.
That assistance, he said, would help people in the Northeast face the skyrocketing prices of home-heating fuel.
Families who use heating oil will spend 30 percent more this winter than last winter, a $600 average increase, Mr. Markey said. Those who use natural gas will spend nearly 20 percent more.
“Regardless of the region of the country or the home-heating fuel, the Department of Energy is forecasting that families will experience a substantial increase in their heating costs this winter,” Mr. Markey said.
U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., the senior Republican on the committee, said that while he appreciates the help that the energy assistance program provides low-income households, he has concerns about the formula for division of funds among the states.
The program, Mr. Sensenbrenner said, is meant to help people stay warm from the cold.
“No one is going to freeze in Arizona,” he said.
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