WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1,100,000 in funding to the Maine State Housing Authority under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

“While we are certainly pleased to announce this $1.1 million for Maine today, we remain committed to securing additional emergency funding,” the senators said in a joint statement Wednesday.

Seventy-eight percent of Mainers use oil to heat their homes. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association, heating costs for the average family using heating oil are projected to hit $1,666 for the 2005-2006 winter heating season. Those costs would represent an increase of $403 over those costs for the 2004-2005 winter heating season, and an increase of $714 over those costs for the 2003-2004 winter heating season.