States, D.C. Take Action on Energy Assistance

In recent weeks, Connecticut, Maine and New Mexico have allocated state funds for energy assistance, and the District of Columbia provided city funds. 

As apart of a $79 million energy bill, Connecticut has provided $14 million to Operation Fuel, a statewide fuel fund, with $8.5 million for emergency energy assistance for households with incomes between 150 and 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and $5 million for those earning up to 100 percent of the state median income. Also, $4 million was provided for energy assistance to those ages 65 and older with incomes at or below 100 percent of the state median income. The legislation also created a contingency fund of $35 million to cover future emergency heating needs, provided $2 million for income-eligible residents for repairing and upgrading furnaces and boilers, and $2 million for a weatherization program targeted to LIHEAP recipients.

Maine Governor John Baldacci avoided a special legislative session and used his authority to borrow $12.6 million from other state funds for a “short term energy plan,” which includes the following for low-income energy: $4.25 million to increase the LIHEAP benefit to $500 per household from the current $415; a $3.25 million emergency fund effective in January to help LIHEAP recipients and those with slightly higher incomes with fuel oil emergencies,  $2 million for the state weatherization program and an extra $1 million to repair homes of those who are LIHEAP-eligible.

Also in Maine, the Public Utilities Commission approved a 13 percent increase in the budget of the Low Income Assistance Program, which is funded by electric utility ratepayers  to help low-income Mainers with their electricity bills. Those who qualify for LIHEAP also qualify for the state program. Its funding was raised from about $6 million annually to $7 million. 

Following a legislative special session that ended August 19, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law SB 32, which allocated $1.9 million for LIHEAP.

The District of Columbia Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development added $1.3 million to District’s LIHEAP, allowing it to remain open until September 30 and to provide benefits to an additional 1,000 households.

To see other state government action on energy assistance view the narrative and spreadsheet.

Source: Newspapers, government websites

Page Last Updated: September 24, 2009