Snowe on LIHEAP: Winter is not Waiting for Congress to Act

Press Release

U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), a longtime champion of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) since its creation in 1980, called the increase in LIHEAP funding in the Omnibus bill a step in the right direction, but reiterated it is not enough for the many Mainers and Americans who are already struggling to pay heating bills during a time of historic heating oil prices. The text of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 includes approximately $3.5 billion in funding for LIHEAP in 2012. While this is an increase from the draconian cut in the President's Fiscal Year 2012 budget of $2.57 billion, it is still a dramatic reduction from last year's $4.7 billion that was maintained in the Fiscal Year 2012 Continuing Resolution expiring December 16.

Senator Snowe said:

"I am encouraged that my colleagues and Congressional Leaders have responded to my request and rejected the President's draconian proposal of the largest cut in the history of the LIHEAP program and increased funding by more than $900 million. At the same time there should be no doubt that funding the program at $3.5 billion is disappointing and remains a massive cut as Mainers and Americans across the country are experiencing high prices for home heating oil during the holiday season. Winter is not waiting for Congress to act, and it is absolutely vital the Senate take up my legislation with Senators Reed and Sanders and restore the program's funding to at least $4.7 billion."

As of today, Maine has received less than $24 million for this winter compared to $56.5 million last year, a 57 percent cut while heating oil prices are as high as $3.85 per gallon in the state of Maine. The average at this time last year was $2.73 per gallon. According to the Congressional Research Service, the omnibus appropriations bill would provide roughly $40 million to Maine. Senator Snowe led a letter to leadership requesting that the LIHEAP program be provided last year's level of funding.

Senator Snowe reiterated these LIHEAP funding levels will have a significant negative impact on the nation's most vulnerable as the coldest months approach. She called on Congress to immediately take up and pass her legislation introduced with Senators Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), S. 1961 -- the LIHEAP Protection Act, which restores LIHEAP finding to last year's $4.7 billion.

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