Feds Must Help with Heating Bills

The Olympian, Olympia, WA
November 9, 2005
The poor are facing a heating crisis this winter thanks to the cold hearts of the Republican-led U.S. Congress.

Only limited financial assistance will be available to help low-income residents pay their heating bills this winter because Congress has refused to properly fund the federal energy assistance program.

Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat from Washington state, saw the heating crisis ahead and pressed her colleagues in the U.S. Senate to add $2.9 billion to the assistance program. Cantwell garnered support from 54 senators -- six votes shy of the 60 percent supermajority needed for approval.

"A majority of the Senate has spoken, but Republicans continue to use tricks to block these vital funds," Cantwell said. "It is irresponsible of Congress to leave these families out in the cold, and we will not rest until this gets passed. Winter is fast approaching, and too many families still don't know if help will be available to them when they struggle to cover rising heating bills."

Nationally, consumers are expected to pay 32 percent more for heating oil this winter, 48 percent more for natural gas and 30 percent more for propane, Cantwell said. "The burden could financially wipe out many families and elderly individuals this winter unless Congress approves additional funds."

Cantwell's amendment would have added $2.9 billion to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, bringing total spending to $5.1 billion. She has vowed to continue the fight, hoping to tag her amendment onto another bill.

The additional funds would have made a significant difference for low-income families, disabled individuals and seniors who look to federal and local programs for help paying their monthly utility bill. Some families must choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table.

Last year, according to Cantwell, the Washington state energy assistance program received $41.6 million, which was used to provide energy assistance to 72,000 households -- roughly 24 percent of the state's eligible population. Cantwell said that if her amendment had passed, the state would have had $60 million and been able to assist 36,000 additional households.
The heating crisis already is upon South Sound residents. Telephones at the Community Action Council are ringing off the hook since the energy assistance program opened its doors in early November. Already, natural gas prices are up 18 percent from last winter, and residents say their tight budgets cannot absorb that financial hit. Program manager Gary Kauffman said there are 10,000 residents who qualify for help, but there's only enough money to help 2,000 to 3,000 of them.

Other agencies, such as The Salvation Army, are helping out where they can, but again, the demand far exceeds the amount of money available.

Gov. Christine Gregoire hopes to alleviate the pain somewhat next January by asking the Legislature to spend $7.6 million to help the poor pay their heating bills. While every bit helps, that's still nowhere near the amount of money needed to adequately serve the poor and the needy. This is a federal responsibility.

Congress simply must step up to that responsibility and provide additional funds for the energy assistance program. If people across this country start freezing to death in their homes this winter, the blame rests with federal lawmakers.