Sanders Applauds Release of Emergency Liheap Funds, But Much More Needs To Be Done

SANDERS APPLAUDS RELEASE OF EMERGENCY LIHEAP FUNDS, BUT MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE
Vermont will receive $2.3 million in extra home heating funding

Burlington, VT - Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) today applauded the government's release of more than $2.3 million in emergency Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for the state of Vermont. The $2.3 million in funding for Vermont is part of $80 million of emergency funding released today by the Health and Human Services Department as part of a rational formula that provides this heating assistance to cold-weather states that need it most. Sanders had been critical of earlier emergency LIHEAP releases that didn't target this funding directly to cold-weather states.

Sanders said, "I am delighted that the federal government will be providing more than $2.3 million in emergency LIHEAP assistance to Vermont. While this is good news, the bad news is that the President has proposed slashing regular LIHEAP funding for the upcoming winter season by over $370 million nationally, even though heating oil prices are projected to be even higher this winter than they were last winter. In the richest country on the face of the earth, we must ensure that no-one goes cold this winter. I will be working with other Members of Congress against cuts to the LIHEAP program so that no Vermonter has to make the unacceptable choice of feeding their families or heating their homes. LIHEAP provides a critical safety net for thousands of senior citizens on fixed incomes and low-income Vermont families with children. This program must be strengthened, not weakened."

Congressman Sanders has been a strong advocate for increasing LIHEAP funding in order to keep pace with rising energy costs. Home heating oil costs have nearly tripled over the past five years, while LIHEAP has not kept adequate pace with inflation.

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=5004