Legislation, Top Story
LIHEAP Supporters Rally in D.C.
Faced with a proposed cut in energy aid to the needy, supporters of the LIHEAP program converged on Capitol Hill to urge a reversal.
Former Marine Eric Lopez (foreground), who needed LIHEAP help, speaks at LIHEAP Action Day. (Photo By: Michael W. Kahn)
Organizers said about 130 people took part in the National Fuel Funds Network’s 10th annual “Action Day for LIHEAP.”
The event was held Feb. 15, two days after President Obama released his fiscal 2013 budget proposal. Obama set spending for LIHEAP—the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program—at $3.02 billion, a cut of some $500 million from the current fiscal year.
Action Day participants said efforts were already underway to increase the appropriation, and cited the need.
“The average national grant for home energy assistance has been cut from $417 in 2011 to $308 this year, a cut of more than 26 percent,” Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., told a midday news conference.
“As Americans, we have a responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Markey, a longtime LIHEAP supporter.
The National Fuel Funds Network launched an online petition to urge Congress to approve $5.1 billion in LIHEAP funding for fiscal 2013. The group set a goal of at least 100,000 signatures.
“A reduction in LIHEAP funding at the level proposed by the administration would leave millions of Americans without much-needed help in paying their home energy bills,” said Tom Stovall, chairman of the NFFN board.
“We all understand the need to balance the federal budget and reduce our federal deficit,” Stovall added. “But millions of households are having a hard time balancing their own budgets these days.”
Four years ago, the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association began asking LIHEAP recipients if there were any veterans at home.
“Four years ago the economy was different. Only 12 percent of LIHEAP families reported a veteran in the house,” said Mark Wolfe, the association’s executive director. “This year it’s 20 percent, a record number.”
Ex-Marine Eric Lopez of Denver received LIHEAP help after being laid off from his civilian job in 2009. He urged lawmakers not to forget soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It’s imperative that we do not turn a blind eye to our veterans who served us so honorably,” Lopez said. “We need to take care of them and return that honor.”
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Tags: Legislation, LIHEAP