|
CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today wrote President Bush and members of the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation to reiterate the need for additional federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding.
Without additional funding, Gov. Lynch said, all of New Hampshire's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funds will be obligated within 30 days.
"I am committed to working with the bipartisan leadership of the state legislature to develop the best possible emergency legislation to address anticipated shortfalls for LIHEAP and for the Electric Assistance Program," Gov. Lynch said. "But that does not mean New Hampshire should, or can afford to, stop pushing the federal government to provide realistic funding for LIHEAP - a program that has historically been a federal responsibility."
Gov. Lynch today wrote President Bush to urge him to include increased LIHEAP funding in any emergency spending legislation. He also wrote the state's Congressional delegation to ask them to continue their efforts to increase LIHEAP funding.
In his letters, Gov. Lynch pointed out that this year's expected fuel cost increases of 30 to 50 percent are on top of significant fuel increases last year.
"In mid-October, New Hampshire residents were paying on average 33 percent more for heating oil than they were for the same time period in 2004; and a 105 percent more than in 2003. New Hampshire citizens have had no respite from rising energy costs," Gov. Lynch wrote.
"Rising energy prices over a two-year period have resulted in an increased number of New Hampshire residents requesting LIHEAP assistance. We cannot underscore enough the need for LIHEAP assistance and the fact that for New Hampshire to operate a heating program, we must receive funds immediately," Gov. Lynch wrote.
Copies of the Governor's letters are below.
# # #
November 4, 2005
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
With unprecedented energy prices, which could climb even higher during the winter, New Hampshire faces a critical and potentially life-threatening problem this winter. I am gravely concerned that our most vulnerable citizens - the elderly, people with disabilities, and working families - will not be able to afford to stay safe and warm this winter. Therefore I respectfully request that any supplemental budget package that you propose include an immediate appropriation for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The DOE's Energy Information and Administration projects that energy prices will increase on average from 30 percent to 50 percent, depending upon the fuel source. This winter's projected price increases are on top of significant price increases last winter. Energy prices, including gasoline, have steadily increased the past two years. For example, in mid-October, New Hampshire residents were paying on average 33 percent more for heating oil than they were for the same time period in 2004; and a 105 percent more than in 2003. In mid-October, New Hampshire citizens paid 34 percent more for gasoline than in 2004 and 62 percent more than in 2003. New Hampshire citizens have had no respite from rising energy costs.
Rising energy prices over a two-year period have resulted in an increased number of New Hampshire residents requesting LIHEAP assistance. To put this in perspective, last heating season in New Hampshire, the Community Action Agencies processed approximately 36,000 requests for heating assistance through the end of April. Between the base grant and supplemental emergency assistance, New Hampshire's LIHEAP total award was $18.2 million in federal fiscal year 2005, resulting in an average benefit of $570 per household.
Although the winter heating season has not yet begun, our Community Action Agencies have already processed more than 20,000 applications. That is more than half the total applications processed last heating season. To compound the problem, at current fuel prices, the average benefit of $575 will buy a LIHEAP recipient less than a full tank of oil.
I cannot underscore enough the need for LIHEAP assistance and the fact that for New Hampshire to operate a heating program, we must receive funds immediately.
We need to assist our most vulnerable households and discourage them from engaging in unsafe practices in an effort to stay warm. According to our state's Fire Marshal, New Hampshire is the only state where the number one cause of fire-related deaths is the result of improper use of heating systems. I am working with other public and private officials to ensure that this alarming statistic does not increase this winter season. Immediate funding for LIHEAP assistance will serve to prevent needless tragedies this winter.
As the cold weather begins to set-in, New Hampshire is no longer in a position to wait for discussions on the LIHEAP appropriations to be finalized under the Labor, HHS and Education bill. I expect that within 30 days, New Hampshire will have obligated all of our current LIHEAP funds. Our elderly and families need access to meaningful funding now.
Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this critical matter.
Respectfully,
John H. Lynch
Governor
###
November 4, 2005
The Honorable Judd Gregg
United States Senate
393 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Gregg:
With unprecedented energy prices, which could climb even higher during the winter, I know that you share my concern that our most vulnerable citizens - the elderly, people with disabilities, and working families - will not be able to afford to stay safe and warm this winter. Your support of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in the recent past has been appreciated. However, now more than ever, we need your swift intervention to immediately secure LIHEAP funds.
As you know, this winter's projected price increases are on top of significant price increases last winter. Energy prices have steadily increased the past two years. For example, in mid-October, New Hampshire residents were paying on average 33 percent more for heating oil than they were for the same time period in 2004; and a 105 percent more than in 2003.
Although the winter heating season has not yet begun, our Community Action Agencies have already processed more than 20,000 applications. That is more than half the total applications processed last heating season. To compound the problem, at current fuel prices, the average benefit of $575 will buy a LIHEAP recipient less than a full tank of oil.
We need to assist our most vulnerable households and discourage them from engaging in unsafe practices in an effort to stay warm. According to our state's Fire Marshal, New Hampshire is the only state where the number one cause of fire-related deaths is the result of improper use of heating systems. I am working with other public and private officials to ensure that this alarming statistic does not increase this winter season. Immediate funding for LIHEAP assistance will help prevent needless tragedies this winter.
As the cold weather begins to set-in, New Hampshire is no longer in a position to wait for discussions on the LIHEAP appropriations to be finalized under the Labor, HHS and Education bill. We expect that within 30 days, New Hampshire will have obligated all of our current LIHEAP funds. Our elderly and families need access to meaningful funding now.
Thank you for your immediate intervention on this critical matter. As always, your past assistance is very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
John H. Lynch
Governor
|
