Washington, DC – The American Gas Association (AGA) applauds the Senate for their overwhelming support in favor of increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). In the Senate budget resolution for FY09 passed yesterday, there was a call for increased LIHEAP funding from this year's $2.6 billion to $5.1 billion next year.
"We applaud Sens. Arlen Specter (PA), Tom Harkin (IA), Jack Reed (RI) and Susan Collins (ME) for their leadership to raise the funding ceiling for LIHEAP to its fully authorized level of $5.1 billion. We thank them for responding to the needs of low-income families who are struggling to pay their heating and cooling bills. Providing this higher level of funding is a step in the right direction,” said AGA President and CEO David Parker.