MINNESOTA FUEL FUND

• The Reach Out for Warmth (ROFW) fuel fund was established by Minnesota Statutes §119A.42, which requires the Commissioner to establish a statewide fuel fund account. The statute also created the Emergency Energy Assistance Advisory Council, with members appointed by the Commissioner. The Advisory Council has 12 members, comprised of four utility/fuel vendors, four energy assistance provider agencies and four low-income representatives. In past years, Minnesota has allocated $200,000 of its LIHEAP grant to agencies for ROFW.  This allowed agencies to serve households who were in crisis but were over the 50% median income eligibility for EAP. In addition to the $200,000, agencies  raised $94,435 in PY 2003 from private sources that was matched by EAP funds.

• The Salvation Army and Minnegasco developed HeatShare in 1982.  HeatShare is funded through customer contributions from Minnesota utilities and is administered by The Salvation Army.  In 2001, approximately $850,000 was raised to assist about 3,500 households.

LEVERAGING (includes church and community donations)

2001: $1.6 million
2000: $1.2 million
1999: $640,811
1998: $731,765
1997: $1 million
1996: $1.5 million
1995: $871,932

LEGISLATIVE CODE

1998, Minnesota Statutes, sec. 119A.42