|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Governor Rell and fellow Governors from New England, New York and New Jersey wrote the President, saying the current exorbitant prices for energy – especially home heating oil – make it imperative that the federal aid be released right away. “Connecticut is taking every possible step to forestall problems this winter,” Governor Rell said. “We will be holding a special session this month to dedicate the small budget surplus from 2008 to energy assistance and my Administration has already submitted a plan to legislative committees to provide a record $84 million in aid to low-income and other vulnerable households. But we must have help from our federal partners to make this safety net whole. The $120 million in contingency funding that is at the President’s disposal needs to be released now so states can continue planning. “We expect this winter to be unlike any in recent memory,” the Governor said. “With heating oil likely to cost $5 a gallon – an increase of 50 percent from last year – and the prices of food, gasoline and other essentials also at extraordinary levels, more families than ever before are going to be stretched to the breaking point and beyond. Some families who, in years past, have contributed to programs such as Operation Fuel are themselves going to need assistance this year. That means we need to line up as much federal aid as possible as far in advance as possible.” The letter, sent by the Coalition of Northeast Governors, notes that a record 15.6 million families are currently behind on their utility bills and risk being disconnected. The funding at issue is money remaining from the appropriation made by Congress for last winter’s heating needs. It is part of a block of funding that can be released at the President’s discretion. If the funds are not used by the end of the federal fiscal year on September 30, the vast majority will no longer be available for heating aid. Congress and the President have not yet determined how much new funding will be set aside for the coming winter’s needs. Governor Rell has proposed a range of measures to prevent a crisis this winter. During the special session August 22, lawmakers will consider her proposal to allocate surplus money from the budget year that ended June 30 to a variety of special heating assistance programs, many of them run by the non-profit Operation Fuel. Among the proposals that will be addressed in the special session: * Reducing the minimum delivery of heating oil to a more affordable 100 gallons * Providing enough funding to Operation Fuel to so it can offer home heating assistance to not only low-income households but also middle-income families who may need emergency help during the winter * Providing funding for home heating assistance to senior citizens * Requiring home heating oil dealers to guarantee their prepaid contracts to better protect consumers * Providing grants to municipalities to pay for heating costs of schools and classrooms * Providing heating assistance to non-profit human service providers * Directing 50 percent of abandoned utility deposits and refunds that escheat to the state to Operation Fuel On Monday the state Bond Commission approved $5 million in funding for rebates of up to $500 to homeowners who replace their furnaces with more efficient models and $2 million for loans to help pay for other energy conservation improvements. In addition, through the Governor’s Care & Share program, Governor Rell has challenged residents, businesses and state employees to match $50,000 in contingency funding she has awarded to two Connecticut food banks. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: New Spanish-language web page provides information on heating assistance - Sep 23, 2008 - 11:56 AM Expanded New Haven Line service effective October 5, 2008 - Sep 22, 2008 - 6:38 PM Governor Rell: Added LIHEAP funds ‘more than welcome’ – but still more required - Sep 17, 2008 - 1:27 PM “Protocol” Remote-Controlled Toy Helicopters recalled due to fire/burn hazard - Sep 16, 2008 - 4:09 PM Shays supports comprehensive energy policy - Sep 15, 2008 - 5:16 PM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
