That’s a real possibility this year.

To make sure that policy makers are aware of the importance of LIHEAP, AGA works with the National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) to put on LIHEAP Action Day. People fly-in from all across the country, taking time out of their busy schedules, to go to the Hill in mass to speak with policy makers about LIHEAP in their areas. Before these people go to the Hill, we have a short program giving them the latest statistics on LIHEAP.

George Coling, the Executive Director of the NFFN, opened the program and handed it off to our new president and CEO Dave McCurdy. Dave gave some great information and background on LIHEAP before turning it over to Nick Stavropoulos of National Grid.

Nick briefly reiterated the statistical side of the importance of LIHEAP. More people needing help. The poverty rate rising from 13 percent to 14 percent in the last year. That although LIHEAP helped 8.9 million households, or approximately 23 million people, the money available was only enough to help 1 in 5 eligible Americans.

The thing about LIHEAP though is, while the numbers are important, it’s the people that really matter. The personal stories. Nick shared his.

He spoke about being a little league coach in his youth. What a great experience it was. How much he got out of it and gave to it. He mentioned coaching Rumeal Robinson…I’m actually old enough to remember that Michigan team. He said Matt Damon was a great kid, a good shortstop and his mom was at every game. And then he mentioned James.

James was a kid they coached for a few years and left the team around 12. He was from an unstable, low-income family that was having trouble making ends meet. After he left the team, they would see him around the neighborhood and try to talk to him about the choices he was making to help his family make money to make those ends meet. The story ended sadly, as you might suspect, with James, a young kid of 15, dying in activities he shouldn’t have been involved trying to earn a buck to keep the heat on and food on the table.

Nick said those are the types of stories he thinks about when he goes to people to ask for help with these types of programs and he urged people talking to policy makers to remember their own James as they make the hard ask today to ensure that LIHEAP is fully funded at $5.1 billion.

There’s going to be alot of stuff going on around LIHEAP today. I’ll post a couple pictures from this morning but will do some more later on the media event, etc. For now, take a look at this LIHEAP fact sheet.

The purpose of the event was to bring together LIHEAP advocates and recipients from across the county to help convince Congress to fully fund LIHEAP at $5.1 billion for FY11 and encourage an increase to $7.6 billion as outlined in Rep. Ed Markey’s (D-MA) Energy Assistance for American Families Act. President Obama proposed LIHEAP funding for FY11 at a level of $3.3 billion, down from $5.1 billion in FY10 and FY09.

We also called on Congress to release the remaining 2010 LIHEAP contingency resources–$100 million—to help vulnerable Americans who cannot afford to cool their homes during these blazing summer months.

Throughout the day there were various activities, and one of the most exciting events was the press conference we hosted on Capitol Hill where we were fortunate to be joined by Congressman Gene Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Both from Texas, they certainly understand how high the mercury can rise, and how dangerous high temperatures can be for those without energy assistance. We were happy to have them with us to echo our calls for LIHEAP funding—for both heating and cooling.

You can see some of the photos of the press conference at the end of this post. You can see more photos from the day’s events on our Flickr stream.

Another highlight of Summer LIHEAP Action Day was when Dave Parker and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass) were presented with awards from NFFN. Dave Parker was awarded the Sister Pat Kelly Achievement Award, NFFN’s highest energy assistance recognition award. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated superior achievements in goals set by NFFN: increasing public awareness and understanding of low-income energy issues; influencing energy-related policies beneficial to low-income people; assisting in the creation and development of fuel funds; promoting communication and coordination among parties concerned with low-income energy issues on national, regional, and statewide levels. Rep. Markey (D-Mass) was presented with The Extra Mile Award, which recognizes legislative achievement on behalf of LIHEAP.

Here are photos of Dave and Rep. Markey receiving these prestigious awards.

Rep. Markey (D-Mass) with The Extra Mile Award, which recognizes legislative achievement on behalf of LIHEAP. Dave Parker with the Sister Pat Kelly Achievement Award, NFFN’s highest energy assistance recognition award.

While the cold winter months seem distant as we read the temperatures these days, our next LIHEAP Action Day will be here before we know it. Make sure to mark your calendar for February 9, 2011 so you can join us in the nation’s capital as we continue to make sure LIHEAP funding is available for those who need it most.

And don’t forget to post your thoughts about LIHEAP below in the comments—we always like to hear how this great program is helping folks throughout the nation.

LIHEAP is a block grant program under which the federal government gives states annual grants to operate home energy assistance programs for low-income households, and these funds go directly to those who need it most. Every year, Congress must appropriate funds for LIHEAP, and for the past two years, Congress has funded LIHEAP at the fully authorized level of $5.1 billion. Even with funding at $5.1 billion, only 1 in 5 eligible low-income households are served by the program. In February, the Obama administration released the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget for government spending, which recommended a total of only $3.3 billion for the FY 2011 LIHEAP.  With the need for LIHEAP at a record high, the administration’s proposed reduction in LIHEAP funding is disappointing.

AGA is actively lobbying Congress to appropriate at least $5.1 billion in FY 2011 for LIHEAP. But with a very tight budget, we need to convince Congress to fully fund this important program. That is why AGA, along with our utility members and other organizations are getting together on Wednesday, July 28^th for Summer LIHEAP Action Day. During this event, we will travel to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and lobby for full funding of LIHEAP.

I hope you are able to join us as this event is bound to be a great one—you will hear from key Congressional members regarding legislative updates and the latest information about the LIHEAP funding issue. For more details, please visit the Summer LIHEAP Action Day web site. Or click here to register online.

The main focus of the site is making it easier for people to give online donations. You can now give as little as $5 through the web site. The site also gives other ways for you to make your donations. These donations are going to become increasingly important as it’s been an especially cold winter already.

These types of programs are critical for people. Especially since the FY2011 budget request to Congress asked for $3.3 billion ($2.51 billion in regular funding and $790,000 in contingency funding)  for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), down from the $5.1 billion that was provided in the current FY2010 appropriation.

Some more history on the fund. The WAFF was established in 1983 by Washington Gas and The Salvation Army. Since then, the WAFF has disbursed more than $19.5 million to more than 232,0000 people helping keep the homes of area residents warm during the winter. That’s a lot of help. If you have a chance drop by the new site and make a donation if you can.

It’s only five weeks until the National Fuel Funds Network’s (NFFN) LIHEAP Action Day, February 10, 2010 in Washington, D.C.  Registration for NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day is now open. The deadline for discounted hotel rooms is January 21. Please join delegates from across the country in the Nation’s Capitol to kick-off advocacy for at least $5.1 billion for LIHEAP in Fiscal Year 2011.

If you have already registered, thank you. If you have not registered, please help NFFN plan for the event and register now. by visiting www.nationalfuelfunds.org.

We need your participation on LIHEAP Action Day to maintain and increase LIHEAP funding. Here’s why:

On December 18, the National Assistance Energy Directors’ Association released a study that shows how much of a difference the increase in LIHEAP funding made in FY 2009.  A record number of households received assistance. The study is available at www.neada.org,

“The number of households receiving heating assistance reached record levels for the second year in a row, increasing from 6.1 million (5.8 million heating and 0.3 million cooling) to 8.3 million (7.7 million heating and 0.6 million cooling). Eleven states reported increases of more than 50%: California 162%, Texas 122%, Florida 104%, Nevada 80%, Arizona 80%, Oklahoma 76.3%, Kentucky 72.1%, Delaware 71%, Tennessee 62%, Oregon 55%, and Washington 54%.”

NEADA also projects “an increase of 20% in the number of families applying for assistance based on initial application rates”. NFFN agrees with NEADA that “The current funding level will not be sufficient to meet the need if current trends continue. In the absence of supplemental funding, states will have few choices other than to reduce benefits, tighten eligibility requirements or close programs early.”

LIHEAP advocates have their work cut out for them to make sure that these choices will not come to fruition. Since 2003, NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day has been integral to convincing Congress to increase LIHEAP funding to the present $5.1 billion annually. We will need to work hard to secure this level again or more in FY 2011. The action begins on February 10. We need your participation.

NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day will begin with a breakfast briefing at 8:15 am and end with a reception 4:30 on Wednesday, February 10, 2010.  The American Gas Association will provide their Capitol Hill office as central gathering place. NFFN will distribute talking points and background information, expert advice and training in lobbying for LIHEAP for a diverse group of participants.

We expect representatives from fuel funds and other nonprofit organizations, consumer advocacy programs, utility and fuel oil companies and associations, and local, state and Tribal governments. Action Day advocates will fan out over Capitol Hill with a uniform message for legislators – provide needed LIHEAP funding.

NFFN will also have a briefing and reception for early arrivals on Tuesday, February 9 at 4:30, PM, at a location close to the event hotel.

There is no charge for registration. We will update registrants on the legislative situation and other developments between now and LIHEAP Action Day.

NFFN has arranged for discounted hotel rates for February 9 and 10 at the Red Roof Inn in downtown Washington. The hotel is in Chinatown, near the Verizon Center.  It is directly accessible on the Metro yellow line from Reagan National Airport, two blocks from the Gallery Place stop. The deadline for the discounted room rate at the Red Roof Inn is January 21. Please register now for the hotel. NFFN will provide bus transportation from the hotel to Capitol Hill on the morning of February 10.

Red Roof Inn
500 H Street, NW, Washington, DC
(202) 289-5959

Room Rate: $149 + tax
Reference No: B254NFF10

For more details on Action Day, please contact NFFN Executive Director George Coling, 202-824-0660, coling@nationalfuelfunds.org. Also, please read a supportive editorial from the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/28/opinion/28mon2.html?_r=1&ref=opinion.

In today’s economy, with high unemployment, home foreclosures and many people simply unable to make ends meet we are experiencing significant levels of unpaid utility bills.  The industry refers to this as arrears, bad debt or uncollectible accounts.  Recently we estimated that industry-wide there are $3.5 billion in unpaid utility bills, affecting more than 10 million U.S. households.

Many factors play into the issue of uncollectible accounts.  In most cold weather localities utilities are required by law to provide electricity and natural gas from October through March, regardless of whether a customer pays his or her bill.  During this time many customers get so far behind on their bills that they simply never get caught up.  We also know that the utility bill is often the last bill to be paid monthly and if there isn’t enough money to pay all the bills it is the one that goes unpaid.

Utility companies work hard to identify those who should be able to pay their bills through data analysis known as “behavioral scoring.”  This methodology helps the utility work with specific customers in ways to encourage payment.  Additionally, some utilities report unpaid accounts to the credit bureaus, which can have an adverse affect on a customer’s credit.  Ultimately, the best solution is increased personal financial responsibility.  For example, discretionary spending on non-essentials should be curtailed so that bills for essential services, such as those utilities provide, can be paid.

LIHEAP Helps Customers Who Cannot Pay Their Utility Bill

For many people, paying their monthly bills is an ongoing challenge.  Fortunately our nation is full of people who are willing to share the burden of those who are unable to pay.  In many localities one way of helping those who cannot pay their energy bills is the local fuel fund.  For example, in the Washington, D.C. area there is the Washington Area Fuel Fund.  This fund is administered by the Salvation Army.  Contributions are made by local individuals and companies, and funds are distributed to needy customers of the local natural gas and electric utilities. You can also visit the National Fuel Funds Network for information on similar programs.

Weatherization is an additional method of assisting low-income households.  The recent federal stimulus provided $5 billion of low-income weatherization funds, which are used to increase insulation and in some cases provide higher efficiency furnaces and water heaters.  These methods decrease the energy burden for low-income families.

Ultimately the greatest contributor to households needing energy assistance is LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.  In 2008, thanks in great part to AGA’s efforts on Capitol Hill, Congress appropriated a record $5.1 billion for LIHEAP, but even with that level of funding we still find $3.5 billion in unpaid utility bills, due in great part to our stalled economy.  It is clearly time to increase LIHEAP funding once again to ensure that needy households continue to have warm, safe homes.

In a downturned economy, many citizens cannot afford to heat their homes adequately while keeping up with other household expenses.  Virtually all LIHEAP households are home to those of very modest means who are elderly, disabled or under the age of six.  LIHEAP is a critical program that provides federal funding to keep those Americans comfortable and healthy during cold weather.  To supplement LIHEAP funds, natural gas utilities provide more than $1.7 billion annually in program assistance to needy families.

Visit this link for a complete list of state allocations of the funds released by HHS.

In a downturned economy, many citizens cannot afford to heat their homes adequately while keeping up with other household expenses. LIHEAP is a critical program that provides federal funding to keep those Americans comfortable and healthy during cold weather.

That event was a great success and the National Fuel Funds Network is already gearing up for the next one. Vivian sent me this the other day.

Registration is now open for the National Fuel Funds Network’s LIHEAP Action Day, February 10, 2010 in Washington, DC. Please hold the date on your calendar and plan to join delegates from across the country in the Nation’s Capitol to kick-off advocacy for $5.1 billion for LIHEAP in Fiscal Year 2011.

For the past seven years, NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day has proven to be a very effective event to convince Congress to increase the LIHEAP funding.  In order to continue this success, we need your participation.

NFFN’s LIHEAP Action Day will begin with a breakfast briefing at 8:15 am and end with a reception 4:30 on Wednesday, February 10, 2010.  The NFFN will also provide a central gathering place on Capitol Hill, talking points and background information, expert advice and training in lobbying for LIHEAP and a diverse group of participants.

We expect representatives from fuel funds and other nonprofit organizations, consumer advocacy programs, utility and fuel oil companies and associations, and local, state and Tribal governments. Action Day advocates will fan out over Capitol Hill with a uniform message for legislators – provide needed LIHEAP funding.

There is no charge for registration. We will update registrants on the legislative situation and other developments between now and LIHEAP Action Day.

NFFN is currently finalizing arrangements for discounted hotel rates and will notify all Action Day registrants as soon as arrangements are final.

For more details, please contact NFFN Executive Director George Coling, 202-824-0660, coling@nationalfuelfunds.org.




A great video on LIHEAP.

Vivian Lausevic, our LIHEAP guru, sent an email with more good news yesterday saying the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee completed mark-up of the FY 2010 bill also providing full funding – $5.1 billion – for LIHEAP next year. The full committee is set to vote on the bill Thursday (tomorrow).

When we did LIHEAP Action Day back in February, there was real concern that this funding would drop. I’m glad to see it hasn’t. With the way the economy is, these funds will be critical in helping to keep many American families warm this winter.

Dave sums it up nicely when he says, “When the weather turns cold, families who are already struggling to make ends meet must struggle even harder or risk the ravages of living with little or no heat. With adequate funding, Congress can ease this situation and ensure these families stay on their feet financially, rather than fall into a dangerous downward spiral along with winter temperatures.”

LIHEAP is something that’s easy to get behind and the natural gas utilities do. Natural gas utilities provide more than $1.7 billion annually in program assistance to needy families.

Visit aga.org to read the full press release commending Chairman Obey and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Along with Mr. Skains, speakers at the press conference included LIHEAP recipient Victoria Seals of Jackson, MS; National Fuel Funds Network Chairperson Sue Montgomery; Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-MN-8); Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY-4); Rep. Gene Green (D-TX-29); Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH-2); Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH-1); and Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL-1).

AGA Chairman Skains explains to Congress why funding LIHEAP at a minimum of $5.1 billion is imperative.

Rep. Gene Green speaks as Reps. Bobby Rush, Carol Shea-Porter, and Paul Hodes look on.