FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 15, 2004
CONTACT: David Fox (202) 331-2962


WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee has voted to spend $2.0 billion in Fiscal Year 2005 on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the federal program that provides heating and cooling assistance for the poor, elderly and people with disabilities.

The LIHEAP money was included in a $142.5 billion bill funding the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services and Education for FY 2005 that was approved by the full committee on Wednesday.

The bill provides $1.9 billion for LIHEAP state block grants and $100 million in contingency funds that can be released at the president’s discretion. The committee also approved $227 million for weatherization assistance previously funded through the appropriation for the Department of the Interior.

Under the measure, which now goes to the full House for consideration, LIHEAP spending would increase by slightly more than $100 million from its current level. Congress approved $1.789 billion in block grant funding for LIHEAP for Fiscal Year 2004 and $99.4 million in contingency funds. The FY 2004 totals reflected an across-the-board rescission of 0.59 percent for all programs and program categories.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services and Education has not action yet on its version of the bill.

"The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance asked lawmakers to increase funding for LIHEAP next year because the current appropriations level is insufficient to deal with existing need," said David Fox, communications director for the Campaign. "While a $100 million increase a small step forward, it’s nonetheless a step in the right direction."

The Campaign for Home Energy Assistance is a broad-based coalition of advocates for the poor, consumer advocates and utilities that support LIHEAP. Among its members are the American Association of Blacks in Energy, American Gas Association, American Public Human Services Association, American Public Power Association, Catholic Charities, Edison Electric Institute, Lutheran Services in America, National Association for State Community Services Programs, National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, National Fuel Funds Network, Natural Gas Supply Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and The Salvation Army.

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