DeLauro Highlights Need for Immediate Action and Long-Term Solutions to Heating Oil Costs

Press Release

DeLauro Highlights Need for Immediate Action and Long-Term Solutions to Heating Oil Costs

During a roundtable discussion, Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) spoke with heating assistance recipients and Rich Knoll, Executive Director of TEAM, Inc. and Diane Strohman, Vice President of Development of TEAM, Inc, about home heating oil costs that remain high. While emphasizing the record funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, DeLauro also cited the importance of addressing the underlying reasons for high home heating oil costs, as well as energy costs in general.

Since 2001, home heating expenditures, on average, have more than doubled. The Energy Department forecasts that the cost of heating homes this winter will be a lot more expensive, especially for households that depend on fuel oil, like most residents of Connecticut. This winter, the average heating oil bill will be $2,468 in the Northeast, $449 higher than last year.

"Even though home heating oil prices have been dropping now almost to last year's level, they are still unaffordable for many of Connecticut's most vulnerable citizens. And as we know from the last couple of years, every time energy prices go down they shoot right back up again," said DeLauro.

DeLauro has been a long-time advocate for significantly increasing funding for LIHEAP. This year, with DeLauro's assistance, the Appropriations Committee doubled funding for LIHEAP - the largest increase in the 27-year history of the program - increasing from $2.6 billion in 2008 to $5.1 billion in 2009. As a result Connecticut will also see an increase from $65.6 million this year to $95.5 million and with contingency funding will receive $125 million this year.

Continued DeLauro, "This demands a short term plan and long term solutions. From my seat on the Labor, Health and Human Service Appropriations subcommittee I worked to expand heating assistance and give families the tools they need to pay their soaring bills and keep the heat on this winter. We made it a top priority even within tight budget constraints. And we succeeded in making a historic commitment, fully funding the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program at $5.1 billion nationwide. What that means is that 2 million more households will get the help they need and the average grant will go up from $355 to $550"

"We must also recognize this is part of the larger energy crisis. It is about control of our own foreign policy and national security. Solutions like Weatherization Assistance help families reduce their costs and investments in renewable energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels - the underlying reasons for these sky-rocketing prices. That is why we provided $477 million for this program for the coming year - nearly doubling funding - which will weatherize about 100,000 homes, saving each household nearly $400 in energy costs this coming year. And that is why I voted in favor of comprehensive energy legislation - to genuinely promote renewable energy, create new jobs, address global warming, and yes, lower energy prices. "

In September, DeLauro joined with her colleagues to pass the Comprehensive American Energy Security & Consumer Protection Act. The bill will ensure we explore all of the possible solutions to the energy crisis - drilling, accelerated production, repealing tax subsidies for the big five oil companies, investment in and expansion of alternative and renewable sources of energy, and increased energy efficiency and conservation.

DeLauro concluded, "It is time to marshal our nation's resources at every level to face this challenge today, give families and seniors the assistance they need, and to address our future together."

Source