CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today signed legislation to provide additional heating assistance to New Hampshire families this winter.

"I want to thank Democrats and Republicans in the legislature for coming together to provide critical help for our citizens this winter. The dramatic increases in energy costs that we have seen are hurting are families and our seniors, and thousands of New Hampshire citizens will struggle to pay their energy bills this winter as a result," Gov. Lynch said. "Today, we are sending a clear message that we are not going to leave our citizens out in the cold. We are going to give them the help they need to stay warm this winter."

The legislation would provide up to $10 million in additional assistance for the Low-Income Home Energy Program in case the federal government does not meet its responsibility to provide adequate LIHEAP funding. Without action, as of December all of the state's current LIHEAP funding will be obligated. The legislation also provides additional funding to serve up to an additional 30,000 households through the state's Electric Assistance program.