GRANHOLM - Granholm, Midwestern Governors Ask Congress to Provide Increase for Home Energy Assistance

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, along with a bipartisan group of other Midwestern governors, today sent a letter urging Congress to increase federal funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), similar to what was appropriated in 2006. Last year, Congress responded to a request from the governors by allocating an additional $1 billion to LIHEAP, making that year's total $3.2 billion. Since then, funding levels have decreased, and today's letter asks congressional appropriators to again work towards a similar boost for the program.

"Intense winter weather is already impacting Michigan and other Midwestern states," Granholm said. "As members of Congress make spending decisions, I hope they consider the very tough choices that our citizens are being forced to make as home heating costs continue to rise."

Last year, Michigan received $113.7 million in LIHEAP funds and was able to provide heating assistance to approximately 450,000 households. During the last two months, Michigan received 7,000 more LIHEAP applications than in the same period last year.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), the average household will spend 15.2 percent more to heat their homes this winter. However, President Bush recently vetoed a bill that would have provided $2.4 billion for the LIHEAP program, an increase of $250 million over last year's funding level. In the coming weeks, Congress will attempt to come to an agreement with the president on spending levels for this program and others.

In their letter, Midwestern governors recognized that Congress must make tough choices and compromises to complete the budget, but they urged them to work together and take action to secure a sufficient increase in LIHEAP funds.

"The rising cost of home heating continues to put serious financial burdens on many of our citizens," Granholm said. "This is a necessary action that must take place if we want to help keep families in our states warm this winter."

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