American Gas - March 2010 - (Page 10)

PeoPle Trends evenTs news industry number of LIheAP recIPIenTs seTs record, uTILITy shuT-offs rIse The number of households receiving energy assistance through the Low income Home energy Assistance Program (LiHeAP) reached record levels in fiscal 2009, a survey of state LiHeAP directors showed. This was the second straight year that a record was set, reported the national energy Assistance Directors’ Association (neADA), which conducted the survey. neADA said that based on initial application rates, the number of families applying for assistance in 2010 will increase by 20 percent. The current LiHeAP funding level will not be sufficient to meet the need if current trends continue, neADA said. The survey also reported that approximately 4.3 million households had their utility service shut off in fiscal 2009, up from 4.1 million in 2008, despite the fact that congress increased LiHeAP funding from $2.57 billion in fiscal 2008 to $5.1 billion in fiscal 2009. neADA reported that only 18 percent of eligible households received LiHeAP assistance. Families whose utility service was shut off in fiscal 2009 owed a total of $1.2 billion, up from $1 billion in fiscal 2008. The average amount owed increased from $253 to $279. But the number of households that were at least 30 days behind in their bills decreased in fiscal 2009, to 12.5 million from 13.1 million. Those families owed about $3.4 billion in fiscal 2009 as compared with $3.6 billion in 2008, but the average amount owed increased from $272 to $276. The survey included both natural gas and electric utility service. neADA reported that in fiscal 2009, 8.3 million households received energy assistance (7.7 million for heating and 600,000 for cooling), compared with 6.1 million households (5.8 million for heating and 300,000 for cooling) in 2008. eleven states reported increases of 50 percent or more in households receiving assistance: california, 162 percent; Texas, 122 percent; Florida, 104 percent; nevada, 80 percent; Arizona, 80 percent; Oklahoma, 76.3 percent; Kentucky, 72.1 percent; Delaware, 71 percent; Tennessee, 62 percent; Oregon, 55 percent; and Washington, 54 percent. Lawmakers had asked President Obama to release more than $590 million in emergency LiHeAP funds. separate letters signed by 48 senators and 113 House members from both parties said, “We urge you to release these resources as soon as possible to address the needs of families and seniors who are struggling in the current economic crisis.” On Jan. 20, the president released $490 million in emergency LiHeAP funds. www.neada.org march 2010 AmericAn GAs http://www.neada.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - March 2010

American Gas - March 2010
President’s Message
In the Know
Contents
Industry News
Safety First
To Be the Best
It All Computes
From Volatile to Variable
Vendor News
Advertisers' Index
Places to Be
Marketplace
Jobline
Noteworthies
Facts on Gas

American Gas - March 2010