Natural Resources Committee Home

July 25, 2008

Dear Senator Reid and Senator McConnell:

On behalf of the nation’s governors, we write to express our support for increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for fiscal year (FY) 2008. Bipartisan efforts, such as the “Warm in Winter and Cool in Summer Act” (S. 3186), which would add $2.53 billion in LIHEAP funding for FY 2008 and split this funding equitably between the LIHEAP base formula grant and the contingency fund, are a step in the right direction. This approach will help ensure that states receive an equitable share of the energy assistance provided, which is what Congress envisioned when it authorized the multi-tiered formula. This kind of equity is an important goal.  

Additional funding will support critically needed heating and cooling assistance to millions of our most vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities and families that often have to choose between paying their heating or cooling bills and buying food, medicine and other essential needs. With greater financial support, states will be better able to maintain and potentially increase benefit levels, as well as potentially increase outreach to eligible families in need of rising energy cost assistance.

Governors applaud bipartisan efforts to increase funding for heating and cooling assistance and fully support adding $2.53 billion in LIHEAP funding for FY 2008 to help our nation respond to existing home energy needs.

Sincerely,