News
New Spanish-language web page provides information on heating assistance
By Senator Duff's office
Sep 23, 2008 - 11:56 AM

Additional online resource now available from Senate Democrats

A new, Spanish-language Web page now available from the Senate Democrats provides a one-stop clearinghouse of information on the state’s energy assistance programs for Connecticut residents, state Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) said today. The new Web page complements an English-language page launched earlier this month, and both pages are available at www.senatedems.ct.gov and contain contact numbers, links and descriptions of various agencies which are charged with helping low and middle-income families keep the heat on this winter.

“No Connecticut resident should be left out in the cold this winter,” said Senator Duff. “It’s not always easy to access some of these state programs, especially if you don’t know where to look or how to begin. These Web pages were designed to make access easier and to remove a language barrier for the hundreds of thousands of Connecticut residents who identify Spanish as their primary language.”

Last month majority Democrats passed two energy assistance bills in special session that will deliver more than $75 million in heating aid help to tens of thousands of families across Connecticut.

The energy assistance bill includes the following:

• An additional $14 million to expand Operation Fuel to provide emergency home heating assistance to help more low and moderate-income families.

• $6.5 million to local and regional school districts for school heating assistance. Grants will be calculated on a per-pupil basis.

• $4 million to provide home-heating assistance to seniors age 65 and older within certain income limits.

• $3.5 million to provide heating assistance grants to human service and public health nonprofit organizations.

• $35 million for an energy contingency account that can be used for home-heating assistance.

• $5 million for homeowners to purchase energy-efficient furnaces and boilers.

• Decreases the minimum delivery amount that retail oil or propane dealers must make from 125 to 100 gallons.

• Prohibits retail oil or propane dealers from imposing delivery surcharges on more than 100 gallons of oil or any residential delivery that the dealer initiates.

For more information, visit www.senatedems.ct.gov or contact the Senate Democrats toll-free (800)842-1420.

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