More than $5 billion released under LIHEAP

subscribe

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt announced the release of $5.1 billion from the federal governmentÂ’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) under the Fiscal Year 2009 Continuing Resolution. The funds will assist states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with addressing their energy needs, particularly for the upcoming winter season.

“The release of these funds will help low-income families stay warm this winter,” Secretary Leavitt said. “These funds will also help reduce the risk of health and safety problems exacerbated by exposure to extreme temperatures.”

LIHEAP funding is provided to states through the Office of Community Services in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at HHS. The funds will assist eligible low-income households in meeting their heating and other energy needs.

“The funds released by the Bush Administration will help our most vulnerable citizens, including the disabled, elderly and children,” said Josephine Robinson, director, Office of Community Services at ACF.

Under the language of the Continuing Resolution, $4.5 billion in block grant funds and $590 million contingency funds must be released by Oct. 30, 2008. Block grant funds will be allocated to states under a formula specified in the Continuing Resolution. Of the $590 million in contingency funds, $100 million will assist states where large numbers of eligible households use heating oil for heat: Alaska, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The remaining $490 million will help individuals in all 50 states.

Related News

Energiepark Mainz

Renewable power surpasses fossil fuels for first time in Europe

LONDON - Renewable power for the first time contributed a bigger share in the European generation mix than fossil fuels as the fallout from the pandemic cut energy demand.

About 40 percent of the electricity in the first half in the 27 EU countries came from renewable sources, compared with 34 percent from plants burning fossil fuels, according to environmental group Ember in London. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector fell 23 percent.

The rise is significant and encouraging for law makers as Europe prepares to spend billions of euros to recover from the virus and set the…

READ MORE
pg&e logo

PG&E’s Pandemic Response Includes Precautionary Health and Safety Actions; Moratorium on Customer Shutoffs for Nonpayment

READ MORE

powerlines

Kyiv warns of 'difficult' winter after deadly strikes

READ MORE

uk-ev-drivers-demand-fairer-vehicle-taxes

UK EV Drivers Demand Fairer Vehicle Taxes

READ MORE

powerlines

Report call for major changes to operation of Nova Scotia's power grid

READ MORE