$100M added to fuel aid for U.S. Maine lawmakers say it’s not enough

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers from Maine and other Northeastern states praised the Bush administration’s decision Thursday to release $100 million in emergency home heating aid, though some said the money won’t be enough to help families pay steep energy bills this winter.

While thankful for the nearly $1.6 million Maine will receive, U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins asserted in a joint statement that Congress still needs to provide more money.

“Otherwise, the program could run out of money and leave many Mainers out in the cold,” said the two Republican senators, who, along with Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., have spearheaded the fight for additional energy assistance.

“I’m delighted that the administration recognized people need some help,” said Reed, “but I don’t think it is sufficient.”

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said the additional funding would be a lifeline for the 5 million low-income families nationwide who receive energy aid. HHS said it also would provide up to $663 million in block grant funds for states.

“These funds will make a positive difference for many low-income families,” said Leavitt.

Maine officials, however, said the amount is not enough to ensure that everyone stays warm this winter.

U.S. Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, faulted Congress for leaving the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program $3 billion short of its authorized level.

“Though it’s good that Maine is getting this badly needed emergency funding, it does not make up for the fact that Congress failed to keep its promise to fully fund the LIHEAP program,” Allen said.

Meanwhile, Maine Gov. John Baldacci on Thursday signed emergency legislation to allocate $5 million in state money for emergency home heating assistance.

During the signing ceremony, Baldacci said the state’s action was necessary “because federal funding is not keeping pace with the rising costs of heating oil and the great need that exists.”

New York is in line for $14.9 million in new LIHEAP aid. Pennsylvania is slated for $7.6 million. Massachusetts qualifies for $4.6 million and Rhode Island would get $844,046, according to HHS.

“With high heating oil costs, LIHEAP is an important program to help Connecticut families in need to keep their homes heated this winter,” said Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., of the $2.3 million his state will get in additional assistance.

“Frigid temperatures, coupled with the recent spikes in fuel costs, will turn the screws on thousands of families across the state who are struggling just to keep their homes heated,” said Rep. Mark Green, R-Wis., whose state will get $3.8 million in aid.

Snowe, Collins, Reed and other lawmakers from cold-weather states are battling for $2 billion in additional funding for LIHEAP. They say states are quickly running out of heating aid for poor people.

Senate leaders have agreed to permit a vote on the additional $2 billion LIHEAP funding sometime after the confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito. But Reed fears the push for new funding will be blocked by procedural maneuvering. Several attempts last year to boost funding suffered the same fate.

Congress last month approved $2.1 billion for LIHEAP this winter, slightly less than last year’s amount.

Last summer, lawmakers originally authorized $5.1 billion for home heating aid as part of the sweeping energy bill. But they failed to follow through when approving the final budget packages in recent weeks.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., also is working to boost LIHEAP funds.

“Release of these funds is a step in the right direction, but we need to get the job done and fully fund LIHEAP,” said Kennedy.