March 17, 2006
Michigan Will Receive Approximately $25 Million
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today welcomed Congress’ response to the call of 34 governors urging the federal government to provide additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
The U.S. House of Representatives voted late today to increase LIHEAP funding by a total of $1 billion. Half of these funds would be released at the President’s discretion, and the remainder would be added to formula funds automatically distributed to states. The Senate has already approved this measure which is now headed for President Bush’s desk.
“I am glad to see that the Republican leadership in Washington has finally heard our call to help make energy more affordable for all families,” Granholm said.
The LIHEAP program is designed to help residents afford home energy costs which have risen by as much as 70 percent in some parts of the nation this winter. The measure just approved by Congress could bring Michigan approximately $25 million in additional funds. Michigan’s traditional LIHEAP allotment has served about one million residents at a funding level averaging a little more than $100 million annually.
Earlier this year, Governor Granholm and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) led a bipartisan coalition of state leaders urging federal lawmakers to provide $2 billion in additional LIHEAP assistance to significantly boost regular heating assistance for 2006. Additionally, last September, Granholm and 27 other governors sent a similar letter to lawmakers requesting additional emergency LIHEAP funds following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and U.S. Department of Energy forecasts of near-record increases in winter heating costs.
A copy of the letter initiated by Governor Granholm is attached.
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