U.S. Representatives Allen and Michaud Join Other New England House Members to Urge Immediate Action to Bring Relief from Soaring Fuel Costs

Press Release

Support Speaker Pelosi's call for release of oil from the SPR, call for increased LIHEAP and weatherization assistance funding

U.S. Representatives Tom Allen and Mike Michaud today released a letter that they and 19 other House members from New England sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging immediate congressional action to bring relief to families from the soaring price of heating fuel. The members announced their appeal at a Capitol Hill press conference.

"While winter is still months away, families in Maine are already growing increasingly worried about how they will afford to heat their homes in the months ahead," Representatives Allen and Michaud said. "We support Speaker Pelosi's call for the President to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to increase supply and drive down prices. Congress also needs to act now to increase funding and expand eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and to fund the highly effective Weatherization Assistance Program at $1 billion."

The Members' letter notes that the average New England family uses 850-1,200 gallons of heating fuel each winter. With the cost of that fuel now above $4 per gallon, families can expect to spend between $3,400 and $4,800 this coming year.

"Given the high and volatile price of oil, members of the New England delegation believe that it is necessary to expand the eligibility and increase the funding for LIHEAP," the members' letter states. "As more and more family incomes that do not meet the traditional LIHEAP qualification threshold are squeezed by skyrocketing fuel and food prices, we believe it may require as much as $9 billion to reach those in desperate need this winter."

Source