New Mexico Gets $25.5 Million for Heating and Wx

On October 13, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law legislation that will provide $25.5 million for low-income home-heating relief. The Human Services Department will receive $23 million for the low-income home energy assistance program and $2.5 million will go to the Department of Finance and Administration for weatherization programs statewide.

The bill also provided for a moratoria on utility disconnection stating that "a utility company shall not
discontinue or disconnect service to a residential customer for any billing cycle from November 15 through March 15 for nonpayment if the customer meets the qualifications for the low income home energy assistance program. The utility company shall report the customer's need for assistance to the human services department and the department shall take immediate action to mitigate the problem."

HB 8, which also includes money for schools, colleges, State Police and fire departments, was passed in a recent special legislative session. "Because of this session, nearly 1.7 million New Mexicans will see real relief. In particular, the people who really need it: working families, low income households and senior citizens,” Richardson said. “The neediest households could receive as much as $700 in assistance.”

Source: Albuquerque Online Journal

Page Last Updated: December 7, 2005