There’s buzz in Washington that President Obama intends to make a $3 billion cut in funding to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The news was originally reported by the National Journal and immediately met with criticism.
Senator John Kerry (D-Mass) penned a letter to the president asking him to reconsidering cutting funds to low income residents—many of whom are senior citizens—dealing with one of the harshest winters on record.
If the proposed cuts happen, LIHEAP would see their $5.1 billion funding (authorized in 2009) decreased by $2.5 billion. This would still allow for an emergency reserve fund ($590 million) to be used during extreme weather spells in the winter and summer. The proposed cuts would return LIHEAP’s total funding to where it was before Obama took office.
While an exact number has not been released, the American Gas Association predicts 3 million American’s will be affected.
For more information on LIHEAP in the Philadelphia area vist the Philadelphia Gas Works or the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
