The National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association and 31 other groups representing state and local energy organizations on Tuesday called on Congress to provide an additional $10 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The letter was sent in response to growing utility arrearages. The funds would be used to help up to seven million families pay off their growing utility debt through June 2021, when both weather and pandemic conditions are expected to improve. The letter also stated that the groups supported the $4.5 billion proposed in the House’s Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act as a first step towards addressing the crisis.
The letter further states that Congress should consider the consequences if they do not provide the additional $10 billion: Utilities could offer repayment plans, but many families would need years to repay. In the meantime, it would slow that family’s ability to recover. Or, utilities could raise rates on all customers. Lastly, we must keep in mind that many smaller, less well-capitalized municipal and cooperative utilities could face serious economic shortfalls. Any of these alternatives – compared to adequately funding LIHEAP – would be a drag on the nation’s economy and impede the recovery of both individual families and our country.
The letter was signed by the following organizations:
· National Energy Assistance Directors Association
· National Association for State Community Service Programs
· National Association of State Energy Officials
· National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates
· Community Action of Southeast Iowa
· Community Action Partnership
· Community Action Pioneer Valley
· Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
· District of Columbia Department of Energy and Environment
· Energy Outreach Colorado
· First Focus Campaign for Children
· Friends of Buckingham
· Hispanic Federation
· IMPACT Community Action Partnership (Iowa)
· Iowa Community Action Association
· Low Income Utility Advocacy Project
· Maryland Energy Advocates
· Massachusetts Energy Directors Association
· Maui Economic Opportunity
· National Association of Social Workers
· National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
· National Consumer Law Center, on behalf of its low-income clients
· National Resources Defense Council
· Northwest Energy Coalition
· Pennsylvania Utility Law Project, on behalf of its low-income clients
· Preserve Montgomery County Virginia
· Public Advocacy for Kids
· Public Citizen
· Public Utility Law Project of New York
· South Middlesex Opportunity Council
· Union for Reform Judaism
· Virginia Citizens Consumer Council