Governors call for boost in home heating aid on Home Services

Jul

Governors call for boost in home heating aid

posted by admin in Home Depot

Governors from across New England, warning that some families may have to choose between food or warmth this winter, called for a sharp boost in federal home heating aid.

The governors, meeting in Boston on Wednesday, said they are sending letters to President Bush, the presidential candidates, U.S. House and Senate leaders and their congressional delegations asking for an increase in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“I think it’s potentially a crisis and I don’t use that word lightly,” he said. “We don’t want our families to be in the situation of having to make choices between being able to buy food for themselves or filling up the heating oil tank in their homes.”

Lynch’s worries were echoed by other governors, who said the Northeast, with its cold winters and reliance on oil heat, is particularly vulnerable to rising energy costs.

Patrick said rising fuel costs will put pressure on middle income families too, and urged residents to contact their utility companies for an energy audit to find ways to conserve fuel during the winter.

Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri agreed, saying government can only do so much, and that while some help may be on the way for the neediest, most residents will have to take actions on their own.

“The impact on that for middle income families is going to be dramatic,” he said. “The notion that we’re going to get money out of Washington to solve this problem is not likely to happen.”

The governors said the rising fuel costs show the increased need for alternative energy sources, including nuclear.