New Hampshire seeks to avert heating crisis

CONCORD, N.H. – The first big chunk of home heating assistance has been released, but the state energy office says it has serious concerns about whether there will be enough aid this winter.

Jack Ruderman, deputy director of the Office of Energy and Planning, said Thursday the cost of heating fuels, especially oil, is considerably higher than last winter. He said he expects the same initial allocation of federal heating aid as last year, $14.7 million, but said it’s too early to tell whether Congress will provide more.

Last year, the total for the state came to $18.3 million, Ruderman said.

The Executive Council voted Wednesday to release $8.7 million of this year’s allocation, plus $500,000 for heating system improvements.

As the council was acting, House Democrats said they would sponsor a bill to provide extra fuel aid.

“Salaries are not keeping pace with inflation, but consumer products, health care and fuel costs continue to increase,” said House Democratic Leader Jim Craig of Manchester. “We must address the skyrocketing costs of heating fuels now, before we reach the heart of winter.”

National estimates are that energy costs will rise more than 30 percent this winter and 70 percent over the past three seasons, Craig said.

In Maine, the state already released $1.5 million to 40 vendors who offered special price caps for those enrolled in the federal heating aid program, said Jo-Ann Choate, program coordinator at the Maine State Housing Authority.

The first checks and benefit notices will be mailed on Oct. 7, Choate said.