New England governors are asking Congress to assist at the very least $500 million in emergency funds to assist tackle the forecasted spike in residence power payments.
In a letter to congressional leaders who’re making ready a seamless decision for the beginning of fiscal 2023, the area’s governors famous that residence power payments “likely will be exacerbated this winter as a result of volatile global energy markets.”
The governors, together with Gov. Charlie Baker, thanked congressional leaders for his or her dedication to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and urged them to incorporate emergency supplemental funding for this system on prime of the annual appropriation.
“We note that President Biden has requested $500 million in emergency funds and we ask that the committee allocate at least that amount in the forthcoming CR,” the governors wrote in a letter publicized Monday by Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont.
“Keeping warm and safe is particularly challenging for low-income households in New England, which has some of the country’s oldest homes and a particularly cold winter climate,” the governors wrote of their letter. “More than any other region of the country, New England households are dependent upon expensive delivered fuels. For many low-income households, there are few and limited near-term options and while we are all working diligently on assisting these families with energy efficiency programs for the longer term, the immediate needs this winter are likely to be acute.”
Connecticut Democrat Rep. Rosa DeLauro chairs the House Appropriations Committee.
“It’s still up in the air, in terms of whether or not that horse — the CR — is going to be the one to carry this through,” Connecticut Rep. Joe Courtney stated lately, in accordance with the Journal Inquirer. “Rosa is obviously in the cockpit, which is a good thing because she understands this issue completely. She’s pushing very hard.”
Massachusetts ratepayers have been placed on discover final week to brace for a surge in electrical energy charges of about 64%.
“On Massachusetts electric bills, our typical residential customer last winter using 600 kilowatt hours would have paid $179,” stated Helen Burt, National Grid’s chief customer support officer final week. “This winter, it’ll be $293. So it’s significant.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”