US House Democrats seek release of $101-mil in LIHEAP funding

Washington (Platts)--23Jan2006

Democrat leaders in the US House Monday asked President Bush to release
$101-mil in unspent federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds
appropriated by Congress. 

     They also asked the president to submit a supplemental request to
increase funding to the full $5.1-bil authorized for the program.

     The leaders signing the letter to Bush included House Minority Leader
Nancy Pelosi of California, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer of Maryland, and
House Democratic Caucus Chairman James Clyburn of South Carolina. 

     The groups said applications to the state energy assistance offices are
up 11%, marking the highest number of applications in 12 years.

     Yet Congressional funding for home heating assistance is $20-mil lower
than it was last year despite significant increases in the cost of energy and
the number of families applying for assistance.

     They also said homeowners, on average this winter, will see a 25%
increase in home heating costs--the steepest rise in five years--with spending
on natural gas up 35%.

     For more information, take a trial to Platts Electricity Alert at
http://electricityalert.platts.com.

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