Reed proposes increase in federal heating assistance program

Senators Jack Reed and Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Wednesday introduced an amendment that would provide an additional $3.1 billion for an emergency federal heating assistance program. It would help the elderly, low-income families and disabled individuals pay their heating bills this winter.

Reed and Collins are concerned because consumers are expected to spend 32 percent more for heating oil, 48 percent more for natural gas, 5 percent more for electricity and 30 percent more for propane, the release said.

“No family should have to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table for their children,” said Reed. “We must act now to increase federal assistance for heating programs,” he said.

The amendment is to the Transportation, Treasury, Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. The $3.1 billion will be applied to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. An additional $2 million will increase the funding for these energy programs to $5.1 billion.

The amendment is in addition to the $3 billion requested in the state grant program, $500 million for weatherization assistance grants, $100 million in state energy grants and $90 million to improve the energy efficiency of homes of low and fixed income people struggling to pay fuel bills recently proposed by Reed and Collins.