Virginia Low-Income Programs Get $20 Million

On November 30, Governor Mark R. Warner announced over $20 million will supplement low-income energy assistance and energy efficiency in Virginia. A $17.9 million grant from the state will supplement the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) with almost $14 million for fuel assistance and $1.3 million for crisis assistance.

Another $2.1 million from the state will provide additional assistance to the federal weatherization program. The funds will cover the costs for weatherizing 500 more homes.

Several Virginia utilities are contributing $2.7 million to assist low-income customers. Most small and large utilities have doubled their donations to heating assistance programs.

To date, requests for heating assistance in Virginia have increased by 13 percent over last year. The state and utility aid will boost the winter energy assistance available to Virginians on limited or fixed incomes by 70%.

Source: Office of the Governor news release

Page Last Updated: January 24, 2006